The pointed tip of the hōju (sacred jewel) shape, the curved dome of the lid, and the spherical body are all carefully finished using lathe techniques.
No paint is applied; the wood is polished to a finish.
Please enjoy the feel of the wood and the beauty of its grain to the fullest.
Cherry wood is a familiar and symbolic tree of Japan.
Cherry wood is highly regarded not only for its flowers but also as a timber, and has long been processed into traditional crafts, furniture, and musical instruments. It is dense and fine-grained, with a gentleness reminiscent of cherry blossoms.
The smooth wood surface easily develops a luster and gradually changes to a reddish hue.
Occasionally, gently wiping it with a dry cloth or lightly touching it with your hands will enhance its luster over time. (↓Photo shows Japanese pagoda tree)
Our kogo (incense container) is also recommended as a small container for your favorite or precious small items.
May you feel excited when you take it out at the start of your day, and grateful when you gently put it away.
May it be a time for your mind to calm, as you feel the gentleness and warmth of the wood.
In addition to cherry wood, the hōju-shaped kogo is available in Japanese pagoda tree (↑middle of photo) and mulberry (↑right of photo).
Black persimmon is also available.
Also, kogo come in three shapes. 
The auspicious hōju shape,
the gently rounded jingasa (helmet) shape (↑middle of photo), and the flat, sleek hamaguri (clam) shape (↑left of photo).
Please choose your favorite shape.
It is also recommended as a celebratory gift or a present for a loved one.
*This kogo does not come with a box. Customers who require a box (the white box in the photo below) should add it to their cart from here. The box is different from gift wrapping.
[Care Instructions]
- Occasionally wipe with a soft cloth. Alternatively, you may simply run your hands over the entire surface each time you use it.
- If it gets wet, wipe it off immediately (excluding fuki-urushi lacquerware products).
- Do not place in direct sunlight or in hot, humid locations.
[About the Artisan]
Woodturner Yoshizou Nishiwaki
(Member of the Japan Woodturning Association, Nagano Prefecture Woodcraft Instructor)
Our products originate from the search for raw timber by my predecessor.
Starting in Nagano Prefecture, he would search for trees with lumberjacks in neighboring prefectures, and the artisan himself would fell them. There were many years when enough high-quality timber to fill several trucks was prepared, but with each passing year, large, aged trees became scarcer. Even if purchased from the market, they would be quite expensive, so we carefully craft products from the raw timber left by my predecessor.
I have a sense of mission to show gratitude for such precious wood and to bring out its maximum beauty.
Woodcraft may seem simple and understated at first glance, but I believe it is a job that can convey the evidence of a tree's life, whether it be for decades or centuries. By carefully allowing the raw timber to rest for decades, the wood is taught to remember the four seasons, and I determine the timing for production with my own hands. Perhaps only those who have handled wood for many years can hear the voice of the wood.