Japanese Tea Ceremony Ceramic Incense Container of Daikoku | Kogo Ceramic Collectible

Dimensions: 3-0”h x 2-0”l x 1-0”w

This wonderfully detailed Kogo represents Daikoku, handmade and hand formed three-dimensional ceramic object depicting the cheerful and pudgy deity and is very well done and has great character. He is wearing a flat peasant’s hat called Daikoku-zukin, a hip length, long sleeve jacket called a Hitatare, which is wonderfully detailed on the back, as holds a small magic mallet with a rat sitting on the top of his sack of treasures. The happy lucky God exhibits one of the most captivating smiles in all Asian art, and is nearly always depicted in the act of joyfully granting wealth and happiness upon the citizenry. The simply rendered figure is in grey, burgundy, blue and brown complimenting the beautiful sculpted surface. There is a makers impressed mark on the bottom of the two piece Kogo. It comes in its original kiriwood box signed and descriptive box marked Tenjin and created by a specialist and artist who produced pieces at a wonderful pottery kiln in Kurashiki.

Condition: It is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips. “As is”, and retains the original craft/workmanship. 

NOTE: Daikoku is regarded not only as the patron of farmers, businessmen and allied trades, he is also regarded as a demon chaser. There is a story told that Daikoku, with the aid of one of his messengers, a white rat, chased a demon who had come from hell to carry Daikoku away. Daikoku had used a charm, a sacred branch from a tree in his garden, and through this event, many Japanese believe that this was the origin of hanging branches of greenery over the entrance to houses during New Year’s. Country people regard Daikoku as the God of the fields, and after harvest time, pay him appropriate homage fro the gathering of their crops.

Tinjin pottery is one of the oldest kilns in Kurashiki Japan. A Japanese kogo is an incense holder historically used for the tea ceremony or just about anywhere including the home. The kogo are also wonderful items of character to an artistic dimension with its use, in addition to placing small items in around the house.