*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 20-30 years ago by Yokoishi Gagyu XIII. It is wheel-thrown, and the exterior is decorated with Hakeme brushwork and two eggplants.  The beloved eggplant holds special meaning in Japan, it is seen as particularly good luck if your first dream in the New Year includes Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant. Also eggplants also happen to be one of Japan’s more popular summer vegetables, and this is because they are believed to have a cooling effect on the body. 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. 

Yokoishi Gagyu XIII (b.1925) is the 13th generation master of the prestigious Gagyu kiln located in Nagasaki, Kyushu. In 1975 he was designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Nagasaki Prefecture, which is just one step away from becoming a National Living Treasure. He has been awarded many prizes throughout his career including first prize at the prestigious National Traditional Crafts Exhibition. He is perhaps best known for reviving traditional techniques associated with Utsutsugawa-ware, and also for his contribution to modern day Arita-ware. **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.5.5cm (2.1”) x 9.2cm (3.6”) x 9.2cm (3.6”)

Kogo:  H.2.5cm (0.9”) x Dia.6.7cm (2.6”)                                                                                 

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:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.