Vintage Japanese Koro Incense Burner, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-729-1

Japanese Koro Incense Burner | Decorative Altar Accent & Living Room Display, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-729-1

A finely cast bronze koro with Hotei relief, openwork lid, and original wood storage box -- a rare and complete Japanese antique incense burner.

A koro is a traditional Japanese incense burner used in Buddhist altar practice, the tea ceremony, and refined interior display. This compact yet richly detailed example is cast in bronze with a warm reddish-brown patina that deepens with age. The cylindrical body stands on small cabriole feet and features a bold raised relief depicting Hotei -- the rotund, laughing deity associated with good fortune and contentment -- set among flowing decorative motifs. The openwork lid is cast in an interlocking scroll pattern and crowned with a small sculptural shishi (lion-dog) finial, allowing incense smoke to curl gently upward through the pierced design. The interior shows honest age-related patina consistent with actual use. The piece retains its original fitted wood storage box, inscribed in brush calligraphy, adding significant collector value to this handcrafted Japanese bronze.

This koro translates beautifully into a modern home as a living room accent or meditation space focal point. Placed on a tokonoma shelf, a side table, or a minimalist altar corner, it brings an immediate wabi-sabi aesthetic and a sense of quiet ceremony to any room. It works equally well as a desk accent in a home office, paired with a small cone or stick incense holder, or simply displayed as sculptural decorative art in a Japandi-style interior. With its complete original box and striking Hotei imagery, it also makes a meaningful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese metalwork.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Cast bronze with reddish-brown patina; fitted wood storage box
• Use: Incense burner for Buddhist altar, tea ceremony, or interior display
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent; meditation or altar display; unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques
• Features: Raised Hotei relief on the body; small cabriole feet; pierced openwork scroll lid; shishi finial; original calligraphy-inscribed wood storage box included
• Dimensions: 3" Diameter x 3 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent -- minor interior patina consistent with age and use; all components present and intact

A beautifully complete piece of Japanese antique bronze craft -- the Hotei koro brings good fortune, warmth, and centuries of ceremonial tradition to 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 vintage and 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.