A Japanese kogo is a small lidded container used for holding incense during the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Kogo can be made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, lacquerware, and metal, and are often highly decorative, featuring intricate designs or patterns.

Kogo are typically small, measuring just a few inches in diameter, and are designed to hold a small amount of powdered incense, known as "ko." During the tea ceremony, the kogo is passed around to the guests, who take turns inhaling the fragrance of the incense as a way to enhance their enjoyment of the tea and to appreciate the beauty of the kogo itself.

Some kogo are designed by famous artists or craftsmen and can command high prices at auction. In addition to their use in the tea ceremony, kogo are also sometimes used as decorative objects or as containers for small personal items, such as jewellery more...

11 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Pair Japanese lacquer incense boxes, Kogo). In the form of…

Zohiko Japanese Lacquer Bird Incense Boxes from Prue Socha Estate

Pair Japanese lacquer incense boxes, Kogo). In the form of birds. Signed in oval cartouche to base for Zohiko. Gold nashiji interior, length 11 cm longest). Provenance: Estate late Prue Socha, Sydney.

A Showa period Ando spherical cloisonne Kogo, c1940, the lid…

Showa Period Ando Spherical Cloisonne Kogo with Lily Blossom

A Showa period Ando spherical cloisonne Kogo, c1940, the lid decorated with a lily blossom in silver wire. Silver rims. Ando monogram in silver wire. Diameter 10.5 cm

A fine quality Japanese Meiji period cloisonne Kogo, c1890,…

Meiji Period Cloisonné Kogo: Birds and Floral Sprays

A fine quality Japanese Meiji period cloisonne Kogo, c1890, decorated with birds flying over floral sprays on a mid blue ground. Gold and silver wires. Diameter 9.5 cm

Japanese Meiji period Satsuma Kogo (incense box) and cover,…

Meiji Satsuma Phoenix Incense Box

Japanese Meiji period Satsuma Kogo (incense box) and cover, circular shape, in red ,black and gilt, the lid decorated with a phoenix rising from the flames, the interior glazed, seal stamp to the base, 7.5 cm diameter

A Chinese blue and white goose-form incense container, Qing…

Chinese Qing Dynasty Blue and White Goose Incense Container

A Chinese blue and white goose-form incense container, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), 18th early 19th century, of moulded porcelain in goose form with underglaze blue applied to the wings, neck and beak, the underside with fine detail of the feet. 5 cm high, 8…

Two Japanese carved lacquer boxes, Taisho period 1913-1927, two…

Japanese Carved Lacquer & Cinnabar Boxes

Two Japanese carved lacquer boxes, Taisho period 1913-1927, two carved cinnabar lacquer boxes, one of square form and finely decorated with peonies, the other a Kogo (incense container) for the tea ceremony carved with a stylised chrysanthemum theme,…

Five Japanese red lacquer Kogo (incense containers), a…

Japanese Red Lacquer Kogo Collection

Five Japanese red lacquer Kogo (incense containers), a collection of five cinnabar carved lacquer Kogo. The first of concentric circles, the second a peony sitting atop a finely carved ground, the third (centre), deeply carved in typical guri-bori with a…

Japanese Bizen Ware red pottery incense case (Kogo) moulded…

Bizen Ware Shishi Incense Case

Japanese Bizen Ware red pottery incense case (Kogo) moulded with a Shishi above lotus lappets

A small Japanese Meiji period Satsuma Kogo, of rectangular…

Meiji Satsuma Kogo with Figural Scene and Brocade Borders

A small Japanese Meiji period Satsuma Kogo, of rectangular shape with gilt brocade painted borders and painted figural scene, signed. Internal rim chip. Dimensions 65 x 4.8 cm.

A very fine small Japanese gold and silver lacquer Kogo, Meiji…

Japanese Gold and Silver Lacquer Kogo with Owl Design

A very fine small Japanese gold and silver lacquer Kogo, Meiji period (1868-1912), with silver mounted rims, finely painted in black and silver with an owl on a tree branch, the inside cover and base decorated with a similar treed landscape in black and…

Satsuma Kogo hand painted with a temple scene & bamboo detail,…

Hand-Painted Satsuma Kogo with Temple Scene and Bamboo Detail

Satsuma Kogo hand painted with a temple scene & bamboo detail, signed to the base. Condition good, minor age related wear. Length 9 cm