Potter: Kimura Kōji

Approximate size: W2.0″ by 2.5″ by H2.3″ or 6.3 by 5.2 by 6.0 cm

In the shape of an old straw-roofed house, this Hagi kogo or incense case was made by famous potter and Hagi resident Kimura Kōji (1936-). This kogo has a fine ash glaze that is influenced and steered to final form by the firing. Kimura was born on the 7th of November 1936 in Shimane prefecture. He graduated from the Shimane prefecture’s Pottery School in 1952 and subsequently studied Iwami, Koshiwara, Takatori and Hagi type ceramics under famous potter Tsukigata Nahiko – famous for his Shino works. He won major awards in 1965, 1966 and 1968. In 1969 he build his first Hagi kiln and became independent in 1971.

The origins of Hagi ware can be traced back to the arrival of Korean potters to Hagi, a quaint town situated in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Japan Sea, following Japan’s military invasion of the Korean peninsula in the late 16th century. As a result, a large number of Korean craftsmen were abducted and transported to Japan, where they played a crucial role in establishing new pottery types such as Satsuma, Arita, and Hagi ware.

Kogo are containers used to hold incense during the tea ceremony. Kogo vary depending on the season. In summer wooden kogo are used for holding chips of incense wood, and in winter ceramic kogo are used for holding kneaded incense intended for the hearth. During the tea ceremony, incense is added to the charcoal fire during the charcoal-laying procedure.

Focussing on chawan and utensils for the ceremony. His work, tea bowls specifically are highly regarded. Kimura Kōji works from his kiln Togakuzan. He build a second kiln in 1973 and started exhibiting more frequently in the years after, specifically during 1976. In 1984, to commemorate 30 years of making ceramics he had a large exhibition in Masuda City. He had a number of major solo exhibitions in 1993 and 2001 and also won a tea ceremony modelling exhibition prize in 2007.

1936 Born on November 7
1965 Fukuoka Prefecture Exhibition Winners
Showa 42 Enters the Hagi pottery scene
1968 Selected for Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition
Showa 46 Karadomari-yama kiln opened in Kiami, Masuda City
Solo exhibition at Tokyo Akasaka Gallery in
1977 Yearly solo exhibitions at Ginza Matsuya Department Store (5 consecutive years)
1983 Solo exhibition at Shibuya Tokyu Department Store
1986 Selected numerous times at the Sanin Cafts Exhibition
1987 Selected for the first time at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition
1988 Selected numerous times at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition
1993 Solo exhibition at Shinjuku Odakyu Department Store
2001 Solo exhibition at Shinjuku Keio Department Store
2007 Honored at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition for participating for 20 years!

The kogo is stamped with the name of the kiln ‘唐泊’ or Karadomari-yama. There are no chips or cracks and condition is mint. Comes with the original quality paulownia tomobako with kiln stamp and calligraphy on the lid and a informational pamphlet. See a translation of the calligraphy below.

€125 + shipping cost

Hagi yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi ware is prized for its subdued colours and classical features, especially the glazing is often clear and vivid. Hagi is also well known for frequently utilizing a milky, flowing white over-coating and crackled glazing. Typical Hagi ware is either white or a warm loquat or ‘Biwa’ orange in colour with no decoration. Its austere form might seem bland and unfinished at first sight but this is because Hagi ware is not complete until it is used. Not only is Hagi ware created for the explicit purpose of being used, but that it also dramatically changes colour through use.