Aka-gosu Floral Kogo by Kawase Takeharu — Porcelain Incense Container

Discover this aka gosu flower kogo, an authentic red gosu porcelain from the japan tea ceremony tradition. This incense box ceramic features a lotus motif pottery and floral ceramic kogo form with overglaze enamel art and green red enamel box artistry—a signed artist kogo and collector tea ware of enduring presence.

🔹 [ Basic Details ]
• Artist: Kawase Takeharu (川瀬竹春), distinguished Kyoto ceramics lineage
• Technique: Aka-gosu (赤呉須, red cobalt) underglaze with green overglaze enamel on porcelain
• Era: Contemporary (Heisei–Reiwa period)
• Origin: Kyoto, Japan
• Dimensions: Height approx. 3.5 cm, Diameter approx. 4 cm
• Box: Signed tomobako inscribed "赤呉須花紋 香合" (Aka-gosu Flower Pattern Kogo), signed 竹春造 with red seal
• Condition: Excellent — no notable scratches, chips, or repairs. Incised mark (needle signature) on base.

🔹 [ Cultural & Artistic Insight ]
The aka-gosu (赤呉須) technique produces warm red-brown tones from cobalt compounds fired under specific kiln conditions—a chromatic inversion of the familiar blue gosu. Combined with vivid green enamel, it creates a palette reminiscent of Ko-Kutani and Chinese Ming-dynasty wucai (五彩) traditions.

Kawase Takeharu divides the surface into panels framed by red-brown lines, each containing a different floral composition—lotus, peony, and chrysanthemum—with green leaves providing natural contrast. The lid displays a central medallion with a lotus in full bloom, its petals radiating outward in disciplined symmetry.

The round, domed form sits comfortably in the hand, its weight and warmth communicating the density of layered decoration. Viewed from above, the kogo reveals a mandala-like geometry—flower at center, panels radiating, each containing its own botanical world.

"Every petal turns toward light. Every panel holds a different season."

🔹 [ Deep-Dive Commentary ]
The Kawase Takeharu lineage has contributed significantly to Kyoto's ceramic heritage, with successive generations exploring historical techniques through contemporary sensibility. The aka-gosu technique requires precise control of kiln atmosphere—a slightly different reduction or temperature shifts the cobalt from blue to red.

The combination of red gosu and green overglaze enamel references ko-akae (古赤絵, old red-painting) traditions that flourished in Japan from the 17th century. These polychrome styles drew from Chinese prototypes but developed distinctly Japanese interpretations suited to the tea ceremony aesthetic.

In the tea room, the kogo's floral abundance creates a warm, celebratory presence. The lotus motif carries Buddhist associations of purity rising from muddy waters, while the panel composition suggests the structured variety of a formal garden.

【日本語解説】

🔹 [ 基本情報 ]
・作家：川瀬竹春（京都の名門陶家）
・技法：赤呉須（下絵付）、緑彩（上絵付）、磁器
・時代：現代（平成・令和期）
・産地：京都
・寸法：高さ約3.5cm、径約4cm
・箱：共箱（「赤呉須花紋 香合」墨書、竹春造・朱印）
・状態：良好 — 目立つ傷や汚れなし。底に針銘あり。

🔹 [ 文化的・美術的解説 ]
赤呉須は呉須（コバルト）を特定の窯内条件で焼成することにより温かな赤褐色を発する技法であり、馴染みの青呉須とは色彩を反転させた関係にある。鮮やかな緑彩と組み合わせることで古九谷や中国明代の五彩を想起させる色彩が生まれる。

川瀬竹春は赤褐色の線で面を区画し、各パネルに蓮・牡丹・菊といった異なる花卉を配する。蓋の中央には満開の蓮が放射状に花弁を広げ、整然とした対称の中に生命力が息づく。

🔹 [ 深掘り解説 ]
川瀬竹春家は京都陶芸に大きく貢献してきた家系であり、歴史的技法を現代の感性で探究する姿勢を受け継ぐ。赤呉須は窯内の雰囲気を精密に制御する必要があり、還元の度合いや温度の僅かな違いでコバルトが青から赤へと変わる。

赤呉須と緑彩の組み合わせは十七世紀以降の古赤絵の伝統を参照し、中国の原型から出発しつつ茶の湯の美学に適した日本独自の解釈を育んだ。茶室における花紋の豊かさは温かく祝祭的な存在感を生む。

🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ]
• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days
• Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking)
• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials