Vintage Kogo Incense Case, 2nd Nishito Tetsusaburo, Hakata Dolls Nishito, Unused,
A Kogo is a small lidded container used to hold incense in the Japanese tea ceremony. It is placed in the tea room as part of the tea utensils and is not used for burning incense.
This Kogo was made by 2nd Nishito Tetsusaburo (1948–2023), a Hakata doll artist who also created Kogo. He used natural pigments to produce vivid colors and carefully modeled forms.
Nishito Tetsusaburo was born in Fukuoka City in 1948 as the eldest son of 1st Nishito Tetsusaburo, a Hakata doll maker. His real name was Nishito Tetsutei.
Biography
• 1970: Recognized for outstanding skills as a modern master craftsman.
• 1972: Selected for the Fukuoka City Art Exhibition and subsequently received numerous awards.
• 1973: Received the Fukuoka City Art Exhibition Education Committee Award.
• 1979: Received the Excellence Award at the New Product Development Exhibition.
• 1980: Created the offering “Spring” for the Takamatsu-no-miya family.
• 1983: Received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the New Hakata Doll Exhibition.
• 1989: Received the Excellence Award at the Asia-Pacific Expo Memorial Competition and created 700 dolls depicting the history and seasonal festivals of Hakata for the same expo.
• 1991: Recognized as a traditional craftsman.
• 1996: Created the offering “Namazu” incense holder for the Akishino-no-miya family. Won second place in the National Traditional Crafts Festival Hina Doll Contest with “Kotobuki Tatebina.” Held solo exhibitions at Kokura Sogo Department Store and Daimaru Umeda Department Store Art Gallery, and continued to hold annual solo exhibitions at Daimaru Umeda Department Store.
• 1998: Held solo exhibitions at the Kumamoto Traditional Crafts Museum and Fukuoka NHK Gallery.
• 2000: Received the Gold Award at the New Product Development Exhibition and held solo exhibitions at various locations, including Hotel Syusuien in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• 2001: Held solo exhibitions at various locations, including “Sumaya-an” in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture, and Entetsu Department Store in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• 2002: Held solo exhibitions at various locations, including Hoashi Honke in Oita City and the Koga Residence in Saga.
• 2003: Held solo exhibitions at various locations, including “Soseikan” in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, and the Yoshino Residence in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Received the Performance Award of the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries.
• 2004: Held a solo exhibition at Takashimaya Tamagawa Store in Tokyo.
• 2007: Received the Interior Award and Idea Award at the First Hakata Doll Interior Exhibition.
• 2010: Received the Asahi Newspaper Award at the Fukuoka Prefecture Traditional Crafts Exhibition and held a solo exhibition at Daimaru Shinsaibashi Department Store.
• 2011: Donated a statue of Prince Kaneyoshi to Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and received the Fukuoka City Skills Merit Award.
• 2013: Received the Fukuoka Prefecture Governor’s Award for Excellent Skills.
• 2014: Member of the Fukuoka City Art Federation and Fukuoka Cultural Federation.
This piece remains unused and comes with its Tomonuno (original artist-stamped cloth) and Tomobako (original signed paulownia box).
Measurement
Width: 2.5cm / Approx. 63/64″
Length: 7.5cm / Approx. 2 61/64″
Height: 7.9cm / Approx. 3 7/64″
Weight: 103g
Age: 2012
Title: Kotobuki Unryu
Material: Pottery
Color: Pearl Emerald Green
Shape: Dragon and Clouds
Style: Iroe
Condition: Excellent vintage condition consistent with age. (Unused)
* Tomobako (original signed paulownia box)
* Tomonuno (original artist-stamped cloth)
* Retailer-provided information sheet
* Excellent gilding condition.
* No chips, cracks, scratches, or visible signs of use.
* Almost no discoloration on the box. (Refer to No. 10 photo)
* A minor scratch may be present on the bottom (base) of the Kogo.
* No noticeable incense scent.
If you have any questions about the condition or would like additional photos, please contact us before purchasing.
