Japanese Raku kōgō (香合), Fiery Horse
Reserved for a client
Made in Kyoto, Japan by Yoshimura Rakunyu (吉村楽入), this small Raku ware vessel takes the form of a resting horse, modeled by hand with a wonderfully direct and expressive quality. The horse forms the lid, lifting away to reveal a small hollow compartment beneath.
Finished in the distinctive warm red tones of Raku, the surface is animated by smoky black markings created through the firing process. These subtle variations in glaze, color, and texture make each piece unique, while the softly modeled form retains a charming sense of the maker’s hand.
Traditionally, small lidded vessels of this kind may be used as kōgō (香合)—incense containers used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Both functional and sculptural, this piece brings together the spontaneity and centuries-old tradition of Kyoto Raku ware with the playful presence of an animal form.
Dimensions: W 3" x L 1.75" x H 2.5"
Made in Kyoto, Japan
About Yoshimura Rakunyu 吉村楽入: Yoshimura Rakunyu represents a multi-generational lineage of Raku ware makers based in Kyoto, Japan. Rooted in Kyoto’s ceramic tradition, the kiln specializes in Raku tea wares, including tea bowls, incense containers (kōgō), and sculptural pieces.
The current third-generation Yoshimura Rakunyu, Shigeo Yoshimura, succeeded to the Rakunyu name in 2004. His work continues the expressive qualities of traditional Raku—hand-formed shapes, richly varied surfaces, and the distinctive effects produced through firing—while bringing an individual, often playful sensibility to classical tea utensils.
The kiln is particularly known for its red and black Raku wares and for pieces that balance the spontaneity of Raku with the long-established aesthetics of Kyoto tea culture.
