Shigezo Yamaguchi's ceramic Kōgō 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 shaped by Shigezo Yamaguchi, a ceramist born in 1947 in the city of Seto (Aichi), a specialist in Shino-yaki, an ancestral technique born in the Mino kilns. Known for its cloudy white glazes and orange patterns obtained by iron reduction, Shino ceramics give each piece an organic texture and unique depth. Yamaguchi's work perpetuates this heritage with a subtle approach, combining a perfect mastery of glazes and a search for refined forms. His work is particularly sought after for the softness of its glazes and the accuracy of its nuances, offering pieces that seem to capture the essence of Japan's misty landscapes.

This small kōgō features a white Shino glaze and pine decoration, accentuating the poetic dimension of the object, giving it a presence that is both sober and expressive.

It comes with its protective paulownia wood box (tomobako) bearing the inscription of the work, as well as the signature and official seal of the craftsman.

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.