Toshiyuki Miwa'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 kōgō was made by Toshiyuki Miwa, born in 1947 in Hagi, is a ceramist specializing in Hagi-yaki, trained in Kyoto before founding his workshop Yokujō Tōen, where he perpetuates the rustic and refined aesthetic of this tradition. Hagi-yaki is a Japanese ceramic characterized by its soft texture, its enamels with subtle hues and its sober aesthetic that highlights the simplicity of the material. It represents a pine cone (matsukasa) symbol of longevity, resilience and prosperity.

This kōgō in delicate beige tones is accompanied by its protective paulownia wood box (tomobako) bearing the work's inscription, as well as the artisan's signature and official seal. A document (shiori) with his profile is also included.

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.