This iron kettle is beautifully designed with a phoenix flying upwards on the front and looking down on the back. The phoenix is the god of fire and one of the sacred animals. It is said to drink only sweet spring water (reisen), feed only on bamboo fruit that bears fruit once every 60 to 120 years, and only land on paulownia trees. Its eggs are an elixir of immortality and live in the "Womin Country" to the west of China and the "Raptor Country" to the south, and its existence is passed down as a legend throughout Asia. Of the four gods, it corresponds to the vermilion bird, and is a very auspicious motif. The pair of phoenixes spreading their wings and responding to each other are depicted in a dynamic style. This work is a gorgeous masterpiece in which a skilled master craftsman has inlaid gold and silver on the iron kettle. The phoenix portion is made more gorgeous by using the cloth inlay technique, and the cloud portion is inlaid with fine silver wire, making the style of the ground pattern stand out even more.
