Yōhen-kin Shino Incense Holder by Suzuki Tomio

Description

Incense holders, or kōgō, pose a unique but welcome challenge to any potter whose reputation lies in tea ceremony utensils.  For they not only ask the artist to work in miniature, but they allow for all kinds of self-expression.  This lustrous kōgō by Suzuki Tomio is done in yōhen-kin shino, his signature glaze, and formed to resemble the sacred rock formations which dot the coast of Japan's Kii peninsula.

Kōgō are displayed in the alcove of tea ceremony rooms and hold small balls of powdered incense.  At the beginning of the ceremony, the incense is placed inside the ashes surrounding the charcoal used for boiling water.  Although intended for use as such, this piece is equally suited as a box for keeping rings or other small personal treasures.

Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery is held in private collections around the world and, in 2011, was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for display in their East Asian Art collection.

A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by the artist.  Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.

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