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

This listing is for a splendid Unge-ware kogo made around 30 years ago by Yorigami Sohaku II.  It is moulded to resemble a crouching rabbit, and has a smooth polished surface.  During autumn, Japan celebrates the harvest moon festival known as tsukimi. When the harvest moon appears, people gaze up at the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of the rabbit that lives on the moon.  This piece is ample in size and its shape is suitable for holding both woodchip and kneaded incense, although pottery kogo are typically used for kneaded incense during the cooler months. It comes with its original signed wooden storage box.

Yorigami Sohaku is the second generation master of Katsura Gama in Kyoto.  Katsura Gama was established in 1953 in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto near the Katsura River. The founder of the kiln, Yorigami Sohaku, was originally a craftsman who produced roof tiles for temples and castles.  In his spare time he dabbled in flower arranging and tea, and this led to an interest in making teaware.  By 1953 he switched to teaware production and opened Katsura Gama.  The second generation Sohaku was born in Kyoto in 1937.  In 1957 he graduated from the Ceramics Department of the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Institute, and in 1975 he succeeded as the second generation master of Katsura Gama.  In 2001 he built a kiln in neighbouring Tamba where he began to produce Unge-ware pieces.  His earthenware braziers fetch very high prices on the open market and are highly sought after by tea practitioners.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Unge-ware refers to low-fired unglazed pottery produced in Kyoto, Nara and Tamba that uses special techniques to create unique markings during firing. Unge pieces are polished after carbonisation firing, resulting in a beautiful smooth lustre.  They also have black and grey markings that are said to look like clouds, hence the name ‘unge’ (cloud pottery). Unge potters mainly produce utensils used in the tea room, such as furo and ashware.  Earthenware furo potters in Fukuoka also make this kind of pottery, however it’s usually referred to as Kamachi-ware.  Kamachi Gama is one such kiln that specialises in unglazed Kamachi-ware pieces. 

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.8.8cm (3.4”) x 10.4cm (4”) x 8.5cm (3.3”)

Kogo:  H.5.2cm (2”) x L.7.6cm (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.