*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a hakuji glaze kogo incense holder made around 20 years ago by Ishizaki Koshiro. It is made from a mould and shaped to resemble a plump rat.  This piece was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Rat back in 1996. The kogo in this listing is suitable for holding both woodchip and kneaded incense, although pottery kogo are typically used for kneaded incense during the cooler months. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with a green paper storage box.  

Ishizaki Koshiro (b.1948) is a Nara based potter and current master of Shisui Gama. He was born in Kagoshima in Kyushu and studied under Kyo-ware master potter Ogawa Takeo. He mainly produces porcelain pieces and his activities are centred on solo exhibitions. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Hakuji refers to high-fired porcelain that was created by applying transparent glaze to white paste. The technique evolved from those used in China and Korea, and Korean potter Ri Sampei is said to be the first to begin producing porcelain-ware here in Japan. Originally hakuji was simply a base colour for Kakiemon and Nabeshima pieces. It was not until the Meiji Period that people began to appreciate the raw beauty of plain white porcelain. Although simple in appearance it is actually very difficult to fire hakuji pieces without flaws, thus making it very expensive.

Kogo are for holding incense during the tea ceremony. Kogo vary depending on the season. In summer wooden kogo are used for holding chips of incense wood, and in winter ceramic kogo are used for holding kneaded incense intended for the hearth. During the tea ceremony, incense is added to the charcoal fire during the charcoal-laying procedure.

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.4.2cm (1.6”) x 8.1cm (3.1”) x 7.2cm (2.8”)

Rat:  H.4.6cm (1.8”) x L.8cm (3.1”) x W.5.2cm (2”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.