USAGI TWOSOME

This porcelain kogo and koro set made of a dense, hard off white porcelain and then meticulously overglaze decorated  was made by Kozan-gama potter, Ono Shoji (1927-2006). Though not likely as well known as his famous sister, Ono Hakuko, Ono Shoji was the son of Kozan-gama founder, Ono Kozan in Saga prefecture in Kyushu and later went on to inherit and run the pottery which is now run by Ono Tatsuro. As you can see from the photo, both the tripod koro form and the kogo are classic Saga style archetypes based on usagi-zu (rabbit) motifs and it is the matching decoration that clearly identifies the set as that of Ono Shoji. Ono Shoji specialized in minute and meticulous detail using older historical design elements together with his own unique twists on the old and new painting his way in enamel to this modern style. Though generally not overly complicated designs, the playful quality of the surfaces are well aided by the movement that is caught in the frolicking rabbits around the piece and even the perceived rustling of the leaves that encapsulate the forms like organic netting. Housed together in a signed wood box this fun set of kogo and koro is perfect as the snow thaws, the foliage greens and rabbits take the field.