A charming vintage Japanese Kyo-Ningyo (京人形) kogo incense box, modelled in the form of a rooster (酉) and crafted by Heian Nishiki-zome (平安錦染) of Kyoto.
The piece has a beautifully understated folk-art character, with the rooster formed from simple, softly angular shapes and finished in a warm ivory-white tone. Its minimal decoration is limited to vivid red accents on the comb, eye and wattle, creating a wonderfully expressive figure despite the restrained palette. The upper rooster-shaped section lifts away from the rounded base, revealing its function as a small kogo (香合)—a traditional container used to hold incense in the Japanese tea ceremony.
The rooster is also one of the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac (eto / 干支). Known in Japanese as Tori (酉), it is traditionally associated with attentiveness, diligence and the arrival of a new day. Its morning crow naturally connects the rooster with ideas of awakening, new beginnings and positive fortune, making rooster ornaments particularly suitable for seasonal and New Year displays.
Heian Nishiki-zome (平安錦染) belongs to a Kyoto craft lineage established in 1921 during the Taisho era. Master artisan Toshio Fujiwara (藤原敏夫) inherited the prestigious Heian Nishiki-zome name following rigorous apprenticeship and training in Hakata. His craftsmanship received important regional recognition, including the Kyoto Prefectural Governor's Award and the Kyoto City Mayor's Award.
