Over the past several years we were fortunate to acquire to examples of this fine piece. Then - to our amazement - we have been able to obtain another one by the same famous Satsuma artist -"Ogorisu-zo". It is clearly a museum quality example of the finest in Satsuma ware. This kogo has a very unusual design in that the flowers are contained in six spirals wherein the tan crackle glaze of the Satsuma ground shows through. This pattern covers the entire top lid of the kogo and the upper half of the bottom section of the piece.

On the inside of the kogo we find a spray of purple irises still on their leaves - one iris is fully open and two are still buds. These are found on both the inside of the top lid and the inside of the base - both similar but slightly different. In side the low foot, there is a raised gold signature - the raised marks have traditionally been reserved for only the finest pieces.

The signature is inside a square reserve and has been translated as "Ogurisu-zo" - Made by Ogurisu. We have done extensive research and have found a couple of examples of work by this Satsuma artist - only one of which had a price. That example can be seen in a Christie's Auction catalog - the piece sold for $3,250 - and was no better than the one being offered here.

The kogo measures 2 5/8"diameter and is 1" deep at the thickest part where the slightly domed lid is highest. The small footed base has a diameter of 1 1/4"". We date the piece to the Meiji period, circa 1875-1890s. The kogo is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, hairlines or restorations.