Vintage Japanese Incense Daruma Koogoo (Incense) Container | Japanese Lidded Kogo

Dimensions: 2-1/2”h x 3-1/2”dia.

The incense culture of Japan has quite an old tradition and was introduced together with Buddhism in the 5th century, being used during religious ceremonies for a long time and used not only in temples but at the imperial court and by samurai. In the 18th century, incense and special containers played an important part in the Japanese tea Ceremony. The mixture is kept in a container called "koogoo" (kogo, kohgoh, kougou) and is sprinkled directly on hot ash containing charcoal. The scenting of garments using a little brazier and fragrant wood was also a common practice since the Heian period and cited in poetry.

Offered is a beautiful ittōbori Kogo Incense Container by Hakuryu, Ukegawa from the Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku. Here Daruma is shown with an exceptionally expressive face in natural wood and under his traditional garment with a cowl, (monk’s hood) that is draped and has soft folds which fall around the face and over his entire form.  Across the left side of his upper body and down his seated body is his “Hossu” fly whisk mane of horsetail with an intricately carved handle (handpiece). The fly whisk is an attribute of Daruma (Bodhidharma) and symbolizes the sweeping away of mental distractions and ignorance.  Finally, the piece is finished in red lacquer with black undercoating and a black lacquered interior over Yew wood.

For Additional Information on Kogo see our blog: https://mingeiarts.com/blogs/celebration-of-mingei-journey-through-japan/kogo-incense-containers-open-the-atmospheric-paths-of-creativity-socialization

Condition: Excellent condition for the piece is perfect, with no chipping, missing elements, or lacquer loss. It retains a beautiful finish, with its original craftsmanship preserved. Museum-quality: meeting the standards of the Japanese folk art genre collector.