Vintage Japanese Koro Incense Burner, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-981

Japanese Koro Incense Burner | White Porcelain Shishi Figurine & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-981

A sculptural white porcelain koro formed as a pair of playful shishi guardian lions amid blooming peonies -- a striking piece of Japanese antique ceramic art.

A koro is a traditional Japanese incense burner used in Buddhist rituals, tea ceremony settings, and domestic altar arrangements to carry fragrant smoke as an offering or to purify a space. This exceptional example is modeled in lustrous white porcelain in the hakuji (white porcelain) tradition, depicting two shishi -- the mythological lion-dogs that serve as guardians in Japanese and broader East Asian iconography -- playfully entwined atop a rocky outcrop. Surrounding them, hand-applied peony blossoms and layered foliage rise in high relief, demonstrating the virtuoso technical skill associated with mid-to-late Showa ceramic workshops. The incense smoke would have escaped through the openings visible in the body of the secondary figure, allowing fragrant wisps to curl around the sculptural forms. The creamy, near-luminous glaze is applied uniformly, letting the intricate modeled detail speak entirely through form and shadow -- a hallmark of fine handcrafted Japanese porcelain.

In a modern home, this koro transcends its ritual origins to become an extraordinary living room accent or shelf display. Its all-white palette integrates seamlessly into Japandi style interiors, minimalist decor, and wabi-sabi aesthetic arrangements alike. Placed on a mantelpiece, console table, or curio shelf, the dynamic sculptural grouping commands attention without competing with surrounding colors. It also works beautifully as a bedroom decor focal point on a nightstand or dresser, adding a quiet sense of cultural depth. With its original wooden storage box included, this piece is a ready-made gift for collectors or a truly unique housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates vintage Japanese craft and fine ceramic sculpture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: White glazed porcelain (hakuji); original wooden storage box included
• Use: Koro -- incense burner for Buddhist ritual, altar display, or tea ceremony setting
• Modern Use: Living room sculptural accent; shelf or mantelpiece display in minimalist or Japandi interiors; unique gift for collectors or Japanophiles
• Features: Modeled shishi guardian lion pair in playful pose; high-relief applied peony blossoms and foliage; smoke-vent openings integrated into the figure design; uniform lustrous white hakuji glaze throughout; comes with fitted wooden box
• Dimensions: 7"W x 4"D x 6"H
• Condition: Excellent

A captivating piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- this white porcelain shishi koro brings sculptural beauty, symbolic depth, and timeless elegance to 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 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.