*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 years ago by noted potter, Okumoto Kenichi. It has been moulded into a boar, and there’s a sprinkling of red pine fly ash on the exterior. It’s suitable for holding both kneaded or woodchip incense, and was most likely made to commemorate the Year of the Boar back in 1995. The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with a paper storage box.  It also comes with a Japanese language profile about the potter.  

Okumoto Kenichi (b.1934) is a Bizen-ware potter who fires in a noborigama climbing kiln.  He is self-taught and established his own kiln in 1972, and has been selected for many exhibitions throughout his career.  His first was the Okayama Prefecture Craft Exhibition, followed by the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition held in the Chugoku region.  His work was selected for the Ikkyu Exhibition, and the Chunichi International Exhibition.  He received the Chairpersons Award at the Chugoku Bigei Exhibition.  He was then invited to participate in a group exhibition in Tokyo, and was selected for the Japan Ceramics Exhibition.  After this he received several awards at the Chugoku Bigei Exhibition: the Branch Manager Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Presidents Award, the Okayama Mayor Award and the Education Ministers Award.   He also received the Directors Award at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition held in Chugoku.  He held his fist solo exhibition in Ginza Tokyo, and then participated in three more group exhibitions.  **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

Paper Box:  H.10.6cm (4.1”) x 7.8cm (3”) x 7.8cm (3”)

Boar:  H.4.2cm (1.6”) x L.9.7cm (3.8”) x 4.5cm (1.7”) across

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.