Antique Japanese Bronze Hand Mirror (Tekagami) with Crane and Pine Relief, Taisho Period 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-547-1

Antique Japanese Bronze Hand Mirror (Tekagami) with Crane and Pine Relief, Taisho Period 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-547-1

A finely cast bronze tekagami bearing an auspicious crane-and-pine landscape -- a rare survivor of the Japanese antique metalwork tradition.

A tekagami is a traditional Japanese hand mirror cast in bronze, polished to a reflective surface on one face and decorated with imagery on the reverse. Long before glass mirrors became widespread in Japan, bronze mirrors served as indispensable personal grooming tools and symbols of spiritual purity, often presented as bridal gifts or treasured heirlooms. This example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), features a beautifully rendered relief scene on its back face: a graceful tsuru (crane) standing beside a wind-sculpted matsu (pine tree), with flowing water and scattered foliage completing the composition -- a classic motif representing longevity, good fortune, and enduring elegance. A second crane is depicted in flight overhead, adding movement and depth to the finely textured ground. The flat, rectangular handle is cast as a single piece with the disc, a hallmark of traditional Japanese bronze mirror construction. The reverse face retains a smooth, lightly patinated surface that once served as the reflective side.

Today, this antique Japanese bronze mirror makes a striking decorative accent in any interior. Displayed on a bedroom vanity or dressing table, it evokes the refined wabi-sabi aesthetic of the Taisho era while functioning as a beautiful conversation piece. Mounted or propped on a shelf, it works equally well as living room or study decor, lending an air of Japanese antique craftsmanship to a Japandi-style or minimalist space. It also makes a meaningful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Asian metalwork -- an exceptional housewarming gift or collector's treasure.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho period, 1912-1926
• Material: Cast bronze with natural patina
• Use: Personal hand mirror (tekagami); traditional grooming and ceremonial object
• Modern Use: Vanity or dressing table display; decorative shelf or living room accent; unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique metalwork
• Features: Circular disc with integral flat rectangular handle; relief-carved reverse depicting tsuru (crane) in flight, standing crane, wind-shaped matsu (pine), flowing water, and foliate ground; finely textured background; smooth polished obverse face with age patina; warm deep-brown bronze tone throughout
• Dimensions: 7"W x 11"H
• Condition: Good -- age-appropriate patina and light surface wear consistent with a century of use; relief detail intact and well-defined

A rare and beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique metalwork, this Taisho-era tekagami brings the timeless symbolism of crane and pine into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.