Kōgō in Korean celadon by Yu Haegang, intangible cultural heritage no. 13, and Japanese nerikō (incense balls)

In the art of Japanese incense, the kōgō is a small, precious box that preserves and showcases the nerikō, refined incense tablets made from precious woods and spices. Together, they embody a sensory tradition rooted in the elegance of gestures and the subtlety of fragrances, which Atelier Ikiwa was keen to celebrate by offering a carefully curated selection of superb kōgō, here crafted by the Korean ceramicist Yu Haegang, accompanied by their nerikō boxes to introduce this little-known art.

The craftsman
This Korean celadon kōgō was created by Yu Haegang (1894–1993), one of Korea's greatest 20th-century ceramicists. A master of Goryeo celadon, he dedicated his life to rediscovering the secret bisaek color and translucency of medieval celadons by conducting extensive research on ancient kilns and ceramic shards, personally analyzing their pastes and glazes. Recognized by the Korean government as a Living National Treasure, he was designated the holder of Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 dedicated to Goryeo celadon, a distinction reserved for guardians of the country's most precious crafts. His works are now held in major museums, including the Haegang Ceramics Museum, which he founded, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, and the British Museum, attesting to the international influence of his work.

The technique and the decor
This kōgō adopts the full and generous silhouette of a small mandarin orange, whose stem and two slightly raised leaves enliven the lid. This fruit shape, associated with abundance and offering, is here intimately linked to the gesture of presenting incense, like a citrus fruit delicately placed on the tatami mat at teatime.

The celadon glaze displays a soft green with jade undertones, traversed by a dense network of fine cracks highlighted by subtle brown hues that accentuate the depth of the surface. This interplay of transparency and controlled crackling, characteristic of the most sought-after Korean celadons, reveals the mastery of firing and glaze thickness, capable of capturing light while allowing the underlying modeling to show through. Beneath this glaze, motifs of cranes moving among clouds are discernible, created using the sanggam inlay technique, which involves inlaying contrasting colored slips into the clay body before applying the celadon glaze. The crane and clouds, a traditional motif frequently found in Goryeo celadons, symbolize longevity, spiritual elevation, and a favorable breath from the heavens, making this small kōgō a veritable concentration of auspicious symbols.

The nerikō
To enjoy the kōgō as intended, a box of nerikō is also included. This box contains thirty-six nerikō beads, each composed of a delicately fragrant blend based on sandalwood, crafted by one of Kyoto's oldest incense houses. To use them, place two or three in the kōgō and leave the lid slightly ajar. To stop the fragrance, simply close the lid. The nerikō beads should be replaced when they become dry. It is important to store unused nerikō in the tightly sealed plastic bag to prevent them from drying 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.

Practical information
Place of manufacture
Korea

Dimensions
Height 6cm – Diameter 6.5cm

Weight
198g with the wooden box

Materials
Ceramic, Korean celadon

Period
Shōwa era (1926-1989)

Accessories
For the kōgō: a protective box made of paulownia tomobako wood bearing the inscription of the work, the signature and the official seal of the ceramist. The kōgō is signed at its base by the artist.
For the nerikō: box containing thirty-six nerikō marbles.

The kōgō and nerikō will be packed together in a white cardboard box wrapped in a beautiful, skillfully knotted textile, making it an original, unique, and very elegant ready-to-give gift.

Usage tips
Place two or three nerikō beads in the kōgō, leave the lid slightly ajar to diffuse the fragrance or closed to stop diffusion. Replace the beads when they become dry and store any unused beads in their airtight bag. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not ingest. Avoid prolonged skin contact. If you experience discomfort or sensitivity to the scent, discontinue use. Store away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.