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

This listing is for a Bizen-ware kogo made around 20-30 years ago by the highly regarded, Kimura Toho.  It has been moulded into the shape of a ram and the exterior features what is known as goma markings.  Goma is the light brown colour on the surface resembling sesame seed paste, and is the result of red pine ash melting on the piece’s surface.  It’s suitable for holding both kneaded or woodchip incense, and was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Sheep back in 1991. The stamp of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original paper box. 

Kimura Toho (b.1927) was born into one of the ‘Six Families of Bizen’ that were officially designated as honourable craftsmen by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Kimura family has been in the business for twelve generations, and Toho is the second generation master of Tosho-en Gama. Kimura’s father established the Tosho-en noborigama kiln back in 1923. Kimura had originally planned to become a lawyer, and moved to Tokyo to study at Chuo University. However he abandoned his studies before graduation and returned to Inbe to help with the family business. In 1945 he won the Good Design Award at the 1945 Washington International Exhibition. In 1962 he officially took over the family kiln after his father passed away. He is best known for his wide range of teaware, vases, and sake vessels. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Okayama Prefecture Bizen-ware Ceramics Association, as well as the Vice Chairman of the Okayama Bizen Pottery Art Museum.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

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.

Bizen-ware is generally known for its iron-like hardness, simple unglazed texture, and distinctive markings resulting from wood-burning kiln firing. Because of the clay composition, Bizen pottery is fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days, which involves long hours and tonnes of wood. Bizen clay is dug up from rice fields and this iron rich clay is what gives most Bizen-ware its dark colours, though, a few potters prefer to use lighter mountain clay.

Sizes

Box:  H.6.2cm (2.4”) x 7.4cm (2.9”) x 6cm (2.3”)

Kogo:  H.3.6cm (1.4”) x L.6.2cm (2.4”) x W.3.9cm (1.5”)

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.