Antique Japanese Bronze Hand Mirror (Kagami) with Crane and Pine Relief, Taisho period, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-547-2

Antique Japanese Bronze Hand Mirror (Kagami) with Crane and Pine Relief, Taisho period, 1912-1926 | SKU: 26M-547-2

A finely cast bronze kagami adorned with cranes, pine, and auspicious calligraphy -- a rare survivor of Taisho-era Japanese metalwork.

A kagami is a traditional Japanese hand mirror, historically cast in polished bronze rather than glass. Before the widespread adoption of glass mirrors in the modern era, bronze kagami were treasured personal objects -- given as wedding gifts, offered at shrines, and passed between generations as symbols of purity and good fortune. This exceptional example, dating to the Taisho period (1912-1926), features a richly worked decorative face cast in high relief with a classic sho-chiku-bai inspired composition: a gnarled pine tree sheltering a group of cranes in flight and at rest, set against a finely hatched ground. Bold calligraphic characters occupy the center of the composition, rendered in polished reserve against the textured field -- a technique that highlights the skill of the original craftsman. A vertical inscription runs along the left edge, likely indicating the maker or the occasion of the mirror's creation. The reverse face is left smooth and slightly convex in the traditional manner, originally polished to a reflective surface. The wooden handle is rectangular in section and retains a warm, aged patina consistent with the period.

In a modern home, this antique Japanese bronze mirror makes a striking decorative accent that goes well beyond its original function. Displayed face-up on a minimalist sideboard or entryway console, the intricate relief scene draws the eye as a standalone art object. Mounted on a small easel in a living room or home office, it reads as a beautiful piece of Japanese antique metalwork -- a natural fit for Japandi style interiors or wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces. It also makes a deeply meaningful gift for collectors of Japanese antiques, for Japanophiles, or as a unique housewarming gift with cultural resonance. The combination of auspicious symbolism -- cranes for longevity, pine for endurance -- makes it a thoughtful display piece for any room.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho period, 1912-1926
• Material: Cast bronze with natural verdigris patina; wooden handle
• Use: Traditional Japanese hand mirror (kagami); personal grooming and ceremonial use
• Modern Use: Decorative display object on an easel or shelf; living room or entryway accent piece; unique gift for Japanese antique collectors
• Features: Oval bronze disc with finely cast high-relief decoration on the face; motifs include cranes in flight and at rest, a gnarled pine tree, bamboo, auspicious calligraphic characters in polished reserve, and a vertical maker's or dedicatory inscription; finely hatched background texture throughout; smooth convex reverse face in traditional style; rectangular wooden handle with aged patina; scattered verdigris consistent with age
• Dimensions: 9"W x 13"H
• Condition: Excellent -- natural age patina and verdigris throughout; no cracks or losses; reflective surface on reverse shows oxidation consistent with age

A rare and beautifully crafted piece of Japanese antique metalwork -- this Taisho-era bronze kagami brings centuries of symbolism and artisanal tradition into any modern interior.

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.