Cheek Armor Cup, Hawk Form, Mt. Fuji

Among Koga's works, the highly popular Hoyoroi-hai (Cheek-Armor Cup) series takes the kawari-kabuto (eccentric helmet) of Sengoku warlords as its motif, expressing the way of life and spirit of these men.

"The present age is truly one of gekokujo," says Koga.
As social media developed and everyone came to hold a voice, an era emerged in which one's own will to aim high and courage to speak up mattered more than one's origin or hometown. Within this worldview, {Hoyoroi Sakazuki} takes the kawari-kabuto (distinctive helmets) of Warring States warlords as its motif, expressing the human way of life and spirit — an encouragement for today's high-minded warriors living in the present.

This work draws inspiration from the swift, valiant image of a hawk, and from things like the armor of the karasu-tengu (crow goblin).
This expresses the cheek fur streaming upward as if toward the sky, mouth wide open, letting out a cry while threatening its opponent.

Rendered in white, purple, and indigo, expressing Mount Fuji with snow still capping its peak.
The white is the natural color of the porcelain body; the areas ranging from blue to purple use a cobalt-based glaze that changes color when a glossy, transparent glaze is applied over it. As a result, the piece offers a gradation of two textures and colors — a matte purple and a glassy indigo.