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

This listing is for a Minoo-ware kogo made around 20-30 years ago by noted potter, Kizan II.  It is moulded to resemble a tortoise, and coated in mottled red and white glaze over a low-fired stoneware base. Its size and shape 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 its original wooden storage box.  It also comes with a Japanese language profile paper about the potter and Minoo-ware, as well as a turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use.  The bottom has also been marked ‘kogo’ with what appears to be black marker. 

Minoo-ware refers to pottery produced in the Osaka area of Japan. It was founded in 1921 after Matsuda Shio (Kizan I) visited Minoo village near Osaka, which at the time was ablaze with autumn leaves. Matsuda was struck by the vibrancy of the red foliage, so she set up a kiln and began to create pottery that expressed the breathtaking beauty of the area. Minoo pieces are characterized by a beautiful combination of red and white mottled glaze, and are generally fired to around 1000 degrees. Although it has the low-fired hand shaped appearance of Raku, it’s actually a harder type of ware and thus easier to care for.

Kizan II is a Minoo-ware potter who works out of the Kizan family kiln near Osaka (it is unclear whether Matsuda was the husband or son of Kizan I, we visited the kiln but were unable to confirm this during our visit, however we’re inclined to think it is her husband). Kizan II has faithfully produced beautiful red and white wares at the family kiln for over 50 years. The second generation’s work was frequently chosen to be given as gifts to royals and dignitaries, as well as visiting presidents. In 1955 a vase was chosen and donated to the Mikasa-no-miya imperial household, and in 1956 a piece was chosen for the current reigning emperor and empress. In 1966 several pieces were selected for the Hitachi-no-miya and Takamatsu-no-miya imperial households, and in 1970 the Japan International Exhibition selected a piece made by Kizan II and presented it to the visiting Emperor and Empress. In 1973 work was selected and presented to the visiting king of Tonga, and in 1975 a piece was presented to the Nobel Literature Prize recipient and author Kawabata Yasunari. In 1976 a platter was selected and presented to the Higashikuni-no-miya imperial household, and in 1983 a piece was selected and presented to visiting President Suharto of Indonesia. His final tribute piece was presented to President Jimmy Carter in 1985. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Sizes

Box:  H.7cm (2.7”) x 9.2cm (3.6”) x 9.2cm (3.6”)

Kogo:  H.3.6cm (1.4”) x L.7.5cm (2.9”) x W.6cm (2.3”)

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.