Nabeshima porcelain kōgō, with camellia decoration by Shibata Gakuzan and Japanese nerikō (incense balls)

In the art of Japanese incense, the kōgō is a small, precious box that preserves and enhances nerikō, refined incense pellets made from precious woods and spices. Together, they embody a sensory tradition that embodies elegant gestures and subtle fragrances, which Atelier Ikiwa was keen to celebrate by offering a rigorous selection of superb kōgō, here signed by ceramist Shibata Gakuzan, accompanied by their box of nerikō to introduce this little-known art.

The ceramist

Shibata Gakuzan was the ceramist of Gakuzan-gama, a porcelain kiln located in Ōkawachiyama, Imari, in Saga Prefecture. This region is the historical birthplace of Nabeshima-yaki (Nabeshima porcelain), formerly produced for the Nabeshima clan and intended for the most prestigious uses. The Gakuzan kiln was part of this tradition of fine porcelain, hand-painted according to techniques inherited from Imari Nabeshima. His work was sufficiently recognized that a piece from the kiln was offered by the city of Imari during the crown prince and princess's visit to Ōkawachiyama in 1976.

The technique and decoration

A Nabeshima porcelain kōgō, round, soft and low, resting on small feet that ensure its stability. The decoration depicts a camellia, painted both on the lid and inside the container. The camellia, which blooms in winter and early spring, is a very common motif in Japanese arts, often associated with cold seasons, tea and sober decorative compositions.

The piece is made using somenishiki (blue and enamels), a technique combining underglaze cobalt drawing with colored enamels applied after a first firing. In the Nabeshima tradition, the palette is deliberately controlled: the blue of gosu (cobalt) is used underglaze, then the main colors—red, yellow, and green—are added as surface enamels during a subsequent firing. This economy of colors, far from impoverishing the decoration, allows for a very legible, precise, and balanced composition.

Nabeshima porcelain is also distinguished by a slightly bluish whiteness, characteristic of the productions of Ōkawachiyama, a village of kilns located in Imari. This nuance is linked to the local materials and spring water used in the preparation of the paste, whose low iron content impacts the final appearance of the porcelain.

The nerikō

To enjoy the kōgō as intended, a box of nerikō is also included. This box contains thirty-six nerikō balls, each made of a delicately fragrant mixture with a sandalwood base, created by one of Kyōto's oldest incense houses. To use them, place two or three in the kōgō, and leave the lid slightly ajar. If you want to stop the diffusion of the fragrance, simply close the lid. The nerikō balls should be replaced when they become dry. It is important to store unused nerikō in the hermetically 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 website, feel free to browse our selection.

Presentation

For the kōgō: a tomobako protective box made of paulownia wood bearing the inscription of the work, the signature, and the seal of the ceramist and the kiln, accompanied by a shiori information document detailing the Nabeshima porcelain. The kōgō is signed by the ceramist at its base.

For the nerikō: a box containing thirty-six nerikō balls.

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

Practical information

Place of manufacture
Japan, Ōkawachiyama, Imari, Saga Prefecture

Dimensions
Diameter 6.3 cm - Height 3.5 cm

Weight (with box)
200g

Materials
Nabeshima porcelain

Period
Shōwa Era (1926-1989)

Condition
Very good condition

Instructions for use
Place two or three nerikō balls in the kōgō, leave the lid slightly ajar to diffuse the fragrance or closed to stop diffusion, replace the balls when they become dry, and store unused balls in their airtight bag. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not ingest. Avoid prolonged contact with skin. In case of discomfort or olfactory sensitivity, discontinue use. Store away from heat, humidity, and direct light.