Ceramic Kōgō by Kamiyama Yasuhisa and Japanese nerikō (incense balls)

In the art of Japanese incense, the kōgō is a small precious box that preserves and highlights the nerikō, these refined incense pastilles made from precious woods and spices.

Together, they embody a sensory tradition that is part of the elegance of gestures and the subtlety of perfumes that Atelier Ikiwa was keen to celebrate by offering a rigorous selection of superb kōgō signed by renowned ceramists accompanied by their box of nerikō to help you discover this little-known art.

This ceramic kōgō was created by Kamiyama Yasuhisa, a highly regarded ceramicist born in 1936 and originally from Shigaraki, one of the six great historical centers of Japanese ceramics. His internationally recognized work, exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is in the lineage of the great potters of Shigaraki. He excels in particular in wood firing, which gives his pieces a unique depth and texture. His mastery of natural glazes and raw surfaces gives each work a strong and timeless presence.

This large kōgō, with its subtle nuances and raw texture, bears witness to the living character of the Shigaraki land and its interaction with the kiln fire. It is accompanied by its protective paulownia wood box (tomobako) bearing the work's inscription, as well as the artisan's signature and official seal, and its protective turmeric cloth (tomonuno) with the artisan's seal.

To enjoy the kōgō as intended, a box of nerikō is also included. This box contains 36 nerikō beads, each composed of a delicately scented blend (based on sandalwood) designed by one of the oldest incense houses in Kyoto. To use them, place 2-3 in the kōgō, and leave the lid ajar. If you want to stop the diffusion of the scent, simply close the lid. The nerikō beads should be replaced when they become dry. Be careful to keep the unused nerikō in the hermetically sealed plastic bag so that they do not dry out.

To discover the art of Japanese kōgō and nerikō, we invite you to read the article we wrote on the subject, available via this link . Other kōgō are available on the site, feel free to browse our selection.