SHISA

Over the years my wife and I exchange small gifts on special occasions, gifts that usually don't include the democratic process of collecting, simple and personal pieces and in recent years both kogo and koro seem to be at the top of this list. Illustrated is an Okinawan kogo that was a birthday gift for Mindy several months back, it is simple, fun and fits in with other kogo and koro that we have been collecting. This shisa (shishi) guardian kogo (シーサー香合)  was made by Tamada Akira who has won a number of awards and commissions in and around Okinawa including making dinnerware used at the Shurijo castle in 2000 and works for the Hyatt Regency (Naha) and the Ritz Carlton (Kise). Clearly a studio piece, this idiosyncratic shishi is used for a number of Tamada's pieces from kogo and koro to yuhin and teapots making their origin immediately recognizable where shishi are everywhere standing out a bit from the crowd is never a bad thing. All in all a fun little omiyage style gift that brings a little smile every time it is approached, especially from the rear!