This charming kōgō (香盒, incense container) takes the form of a delicate white rabbit (雪卯, Yuki Usagi – "Snow Rabbit"), a motif deeply cherished in Japanese aesthetics. With its softly rounded silhouette, pearl-like finish, vivid red eyes, and elegant green ears accented with gold, the piece captures both the purity of winter and the gentle spirit associated with the rabbit in Japanese culture. A small plum blossom branch painted along its side adds a seasonal touch, evoking the arrival of spring after the quiet stillness of snow.
The original wooden box bears the inscription 「雪卯 香合」 (Yuki Usagi Kōgō) and the mark of Kotoya Chūbei (小刀屋忠兵衛), one of Kyoto's most historic establishments. Founded in 1656 during the Edo period, Kotoya Chūbei began as a traditional ryokan (inn) serving travelers in the ancient capital. Following the Meiji era, the business evolved into a renowned specialty shop dedicated to Kyoto dolls (京人形), gosho dolls (御所人形), zodiac ornaments, and seasonal decorative crafts, preserving Kyoto's refined artistic traditions for generations.
In the Japanese tea ceremony, a kōgō is used to hold incense and is appreciated not only for its practical role but also as an expression of seasonality and poetic taste. The rabbit, meanwhile, symbolizes good fortune, gentleness, fertility, and safe progress, while the image of the snow rabbit embodies purity, hope, and quiet elegance.
Beautifully crafted and accompanied by its original signed wooden box, this vintage Kyoto incense container is a wonderful example of the city's enduring craftsmanship. Whether displayed as a seasonal ornament, treasured by collectors of Japanese folk art, or appreciated within the world of tea and incense, it offers a small yet meaningful glimpse into Kyoto's centuries-old cultural heritage.
Size: 6 x 4 x 3cm
