The Kura - Japanese Art Treasures

Robert Mangold has been working with Japanese antiques since 1995 with an emphasis on ceramics, Paintings, Armour and Buddhist furniture.

Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan Koro Incense Burner


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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1900: Item # 1499630

Please refer to our stock # K460 when inquiring.
The Kura
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23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
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 $1,000.00 
A classic bun-shaped Koro incense burner by Miyagawa Kozan pierced with Incense-clock-patterns enclosed in the rare original signed wooden box. A crested Ibis perches on the prow of a small boat moored among water reeds under a pattern of colorful filigree. The piece bears the Makuzu stamp impressed into the base. It is 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches) diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/2 inches) tall and is in excellent condition. The box is titled Mo-Ninsei Koro (Censer after Ninsei), and is signed inside bearing the Makuzu Seal. This is possibly the work of Miyagawa Chozo or the first Miyagawa Kozan, as both created works in this form.
Miyagawa Chozo (1797-1860), also known as Chobei was born a direct descendant of Chokansai and would be the father to Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan I (1842-1916). The name Kozan was granted by Prince Yasui-no-Miya in 1851 in honor of the tea ware produced during the later Edo for the imperial Court by this, the tenth-generation head of the Kyoto pottery family, In 1832 at the age of thirty-five, he became apprentice to Aoki Mokubei (1767-1833) and by 35 had established his reputation as a preeminent independent potter. Differing from his master Mokubei (who was most renowned for Sencha ware) Chozo produced almost exclusively ceramics for use with Maccha (Japanese powdered tea ceremony) wares. Many say his most representative works were his Ninsei items, incense containers being particularly renowned. For more on this artist see Master Potter of Meiji Japan, Makuzu Kozan. The Kozan (Makuzu) kiln as we know it today was established in Yokohama in 1871 by the 11th generation head of the family where he reinvented the family business. He immediately set out on a journey which would propel the Kozan name to International Celebrity status, and send his wares throughout the globe. Pieces produced there were marked Kozan, or Makuzu, the official kiln name, or both. The kiln was commissioned for works to be presented to the Prince of Wales, the 25th wedding anniversary gift for the Taisho emperor and the Showa Emperors coronation gift. The kiln was destroyed in the bombing of Yokohama in 1945. For more on this illustrious family see Bridging East and West, Japanese Ceramics from the Kozan Studio by Kathleen Emerson-Dell.