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

This listing is for an Utsutsugawa-ware kogo made around 20 years ago by Takemura Rizaemon XII.   It is wheel-thrown, and the exterior is decorated with very faint Hakeme brushwork and a hand-painted depiction of a white egret.  This piece is suitable for holding both kneaded and woodchip type incense, although pottery kogo are typically used for kneaded incense during the cooler months.  It comes with its original signed wooden storage box, as well as a Japanese language profile about the kiln and Utsutsugawa-ware. 

Takemura Rizaemon XII is a Hasami-ware potter and former master of Rizaemon Gama.  Rizaemon Gama was established during the middle of the Edo period, and at that time was tasked with producing Karatsu-ware for the local feudal lord.  Rizaemon pieces were very well received and the kiln became a key producer in the area.  The 12th generation referred to himself as a Hasami-ware potter due to the kiln’s location in the Hasami area, however he produced a wide range of wares such as Karatsu, Hasami porcelain pieces, and Utsutsugawa-ware.  He specialised in producing Karatsu teaware and was a master of decorating with iron brushwork.  The kiln is now headed by Takemura Rizaemon XIII who has taken Rizaemon Gama in a new direction.  Rizaemon Gama now specialises in contemporary style Hasami tableware with colourful glazes like that of Minpei-ware, as well as some more traditional porcelain pieces like that of Arita.   **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Utsutsugawa-ware refers to pottery produced in the old Hizen province located in modern day Nagasaki prefecture. It’s very thin-bodied, like porcelain, and the clay highly refined despite being rich in iron and dark in colour. It’s a very sophisticated stoneware and often referred to as the Kyoto pottery of Hizen by those in the know.

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.6.1cm (2.4”) x 8cm (3.1”) x 8cm (3.1”)

Kogo:  H.3cm (1.1”) x Dia.5.9cm (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.