vintage celadon incense box for tea ceremony with charming frog design

Love Japanese Style Like We Do

Add a touch of nature and serenity to your space with this exquisite celadon kogo, a beautifully handcrafted incense box designed for the Japanese tea ceremony. Featuring a delicate frog perched on a graceful leaf, this unique piece radiates charm and elegance, making it a perfect addition to any home or tea lover's collection.

In the Japanese tradition, kogo are intricately designed lidded boxes used to hold incense during tea ceremonies, and reflect the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. This particular kogo is adorned with a sweet frog - a symbol of good fortune in Japan, representing the belief that happiness and prosperity will return to those who embrace it.

The celadon glaze on this piece is a soft, pale green with a delicate craquelure pattern, adding a touch of vintage sophistication. Revered for its resemblance to jade, celadon is not only treasured for its serene beauty but also for its mystical and protective properties.

This kogo is in very good vintage condition and comes with its original wooden storage box, signed by the artist - making it not only a functional piece but also a cherished collectible.

Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a tea enthusiast or simply want to enhance your own collection, this celadon frog kogo is a meaningful tribute to Japanese culture and craftsmanship, and a lovely reminder of nature’s quiet beauty.

- box measures 12.5 cm (4.9") x 5.5 cm (2.1” ) x 7.5 cm (2.9").
- kogo measures 10 cm (3.9") x 5 cm (1.9") x 3 cm (1.2") tall.
- weighs 168 gm.

(listing for boxed kogo only)

SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please read our shipping notes in shipping.
- we use recycle packaging and wrap for safety, rather than appearance.

ABOUT OUR VINTAGE, ANTIQUE AND OTHER ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.

Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.

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FROG SYMBOLOGY IN JAPAN
Frogs are iconic symbols in Japan, embodying the idea that good things will return into one's life.

The Japanese word for frog, kaeru, is pronounced the same as the verb kaeru, meaning “to return.” This phonetic coincidence has made frogs powerful symbols of return, especially in relation to wealth, good fortune, and safe returns. Common phrases like Iki-kaeru (“come back to life”), Fukuga-kaeru (“good fortune returns”), and Okane-ga-kaeru (“money returns”) reflect this cultural significance.

In Japan, it’s common to place money near frog statues—whether at Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, or roadside statues—as a wish for financial stability or the return of something precious.

Many Japanese people carry frog charms in their wallets, hoping to bring back money that has left their wallet, or place frog figurines in their homes and workplaces to attract good fortune.

Frogs are also associated with fertility, rebirth, and abundance due to the vast number of eggs they lay—around 1,500 at a time. Their distinctive ability to leap only forward also gives them a positive, progressive connotation, reinforcing the belief that they bring good luck, particularly in career or business.

Beyond their linguistic connection, frogs also hold an important place in Japanese folklore and religious practices. In Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, frogs are seen as messengers of the kami (gods), bringing blessings and ensuring the safe return of travelers.

Historically, frogs also appear in the famous Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans, produced between the late Heian and Kamakura periods (1185–1333), which features a well-known scene of a rabbit and frog sumo wrestling while other animals chase a fleeing monkey.

KOGO
Kogo are beautifully crafted lidded boxes used to store incense for the Japanese tea ceremony, and they also make wonderful collector’s items. There are two types of kogo: one made from pottery, which is used to store rolled incense during the cooler months, and another made from wood or bamboo, designed for storing scented wood chips in warmer months.

During the tea ceremony, incense from the kogo is placed on the charcoal fire, where it adds a delightful fragrance as the heat intensifies, filling the entire tea room with a soothing aroma.

Kogo come in a variety of shapes and sizes, many of which are inspired by the seasons. For example, you’ll find designs featuring cherry blossoms and Hina dolls in the spring, and morning glories in the summer. Other kogo are shaped like animals from the Japanese zodiac, such as the dragon, rabbit, tiger, and dog. You'll also find motifs like fans, moons, and lucky symbols. These boxes represent important seasonal events and imagery in Japanese culture, making them not just functional but also rich in meaning. Their beauty and symbolism make them exceptional pieces to collect.

ABOUT CELADON CERAMICS
Celadon refers to pottery that is glazed in a delicate pale blue-green color (also known as greenware) or a transparent glaze with fine cracks. Originally applied to greenware, this glaze eventually made its way onto other types of porcelain.

Originating in China, celadon glazes became famous thanks to kilns like the Longquan kiln in Zhejiang province. Over time, the art of celadon spread to other parts of East Asia, including Japan and Korea. While the finest pieces are made from porcelain, the celadon color and glaze can also be applied to stoneware and earthenware. The distinctive celadon hue is created by firing a glaze containing a small amount of iron oxide at a high temperature in a reducing kiln.

Celadon became highly valued not only for its beauty but also for its resemblance to jade. In ancient cultures, jade was prized for its magical and protective qualities and was considered a symbol of heaven. In fact, royal families in ancient times were often buried in jade burial suits, believing it would preserve both the body and the soul. Jade was also believed to help combat fatigue. Additionally, celadon pottery gained popularity due to the superstition that a celadon dish would change color or even break if poisoned food was placed on it!

Korean celadon, or "Goryeo celadon," is typically a soft green-blue shade. This style of glaze was perfected during the 10th and 11th centuries under the Goryeo dynasty, and it reached its peak during the 12th and early 13th centuries. Celadon produced during this period is considered some of the finest porcelain in Korean history.

In Japan, celadon is known as "seiji," and Japanese seiji ware often has a more bluish tint. These pieces are commonly used for tea or rice bowls, sake cups, vases, and mizusashi water jars for tea ceremonies, as well as incense burners and boxes. Celadon was introduced to Japan during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) via China and Korea. The production of seiji ware, often inspired by the Longquan style, became concentrated around Arita and the Saga Domain, particularly under the Nabeshima clan.