Incense Container (Kōgō) in the Shape of a Bird 1800 - 1859

This *Incense Container (Kōgō)* in the shape of a bird was created between 1800 and 1859 by the acclaimed Japanese artist Miyagawa Chōzō (1797-1860). The ceramic piece, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a stunning example of *kōgō*, a type of incense burner often fashioned in the form of animals or mythical creatures. The detailed, colorful depiction of the bird, with its vibrant blue head and golden beak, demonstrates Chōzō's mastery of ceramic artistry. The bird's plumage, meticulously painted with intricate patterns, adds to the *kōgō*’s captivating aesthetic.