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

This listing is for an Iga-ware kogo made around 20 years ago by noted potter, Matsumoto Hisashi. It is made of high-fired stoneware clay and moulded to resemble a momiji maple leaf.  It is wood fired and has an ample coating of natural ash glaze along the top. This piece is suitable for holding both woodchip and kneaded type incense, though pottery kogo are typically used for kneaded incense during the cooler months.  It comes with a signed wooden storage box.

Matsumoto Hisashi (b.1951) is an Iga-ware potter and current master of Tosei Gama. He was born in Iga and graduated from the Mie Ceramic Training Institute in 1979. He then continued his studies under his father, noted potter Matsumoto Sojin. In 1989 Tosei Gama was expanded and a gallery built in Yokkaichi in Mie, and in 1999 his work was selected to exhibit at the prestigious Nitten exhibition. He is a full-time member of the Mie Prefecture Ceramic Artists Association, as well as a member of the Yokkaichi City Ceramics Association. He is also an active member of the Tokai Branch of the Japan New Craft Association. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Iga-ware is produced in the town of Iga in Mie Prefecture. Some very early Iga-ware dates back to the Nara period, however it came into its peak during the Momoyama period. Very old Iga pieces from days gone by are so elegantly simple that they look almost modern. Iga-ware is unglazed but develops a natural vitrified glaze during the firing process. This natural glaze is a build-up of transparent ash glazes from multiple firings, and may be green or blue. The surface of Iga pieces is usually textured due to carbonization and from tiny little stones rising to the surface of the clay. Iga-ware is very durable as kitchenware due to its ability to withstand intense heat and handle rapid temperature changes without cracking.

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

Box:  H.5.3cm (2”) x 8.8cm (3.4”) x 8.1cm (3.1”)

Kogo:  H.2.8cm (1.1”) x 7cm (2.7”) across x 6.8cm (2.6”) from top to bottom                        

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or crack, however there are some marks on the box.                                                                                                                                         

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.