Vintage Japanese Brass Koro (Incense Burner), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0275-1

Vintage Japanese Brass Koro (Incense Burner), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0275-1

A richly detailed brass koro adorned with a flock of flying cranes and crowned by a sculpted turtle finial -- a striking symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese craft tradition.

A koro is a traditional Japanese incense burner, used in domestic settings to perfume a room and create a sense of calm and ritual. This vintage Japanese koro is cast in brass with a deep, dark brown patina, its squat rounded body resting on small feet and covered on every surface with a dense high-relief scene of flying cranes -- a motif long associated with auspicious blessings and enduring life in Japanese decorative art. The domed pierced lid features a honeycomb lattice openwork design that allows incense smoke to drift freely, while a finely modeled turtle sits atop the lid as a finial, echoing the same theme of longevity. A maker's mark is stamped on the plain flat base, and the inner surface of the lid reveals the clean hollow casting beneath. The uniform warmth of the dark patina gives the piece an almost sculptural presence consistent with Showa-era decorative craft production.

Today this vintage Japanese incense burner translates beautifully into a striking living room accent or meditation space focal point. Displayed on a shelf, mantelpiece, or low table, it brings instant wabi-sabi aesthetic to any interior -- its all-over crane relief making it as much a sculptural object as a functional piece. It works equally well as a Japandi style decorative accent on a home office desk or as a conversation piece in an entryway. For those who still enjoy kodo -- the Japanese art of incense -- it is fully ready for use. A thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles or collectors of Japanese vintage decorative arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Brass with dark brown patina
• Use: Koro -- traditional Japanese incense burner for domestic use
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent; meditation or altar display; home office sculptural object
• Features: Squat rounded body on small feet; all-over high-relief flying crane decoration covering the entire exterior; domed pierced lid with hexagonal lattice openwork; sculpted turtle finial; plain hollow interior; maker's mark stamped on base; lid and body fit together cleanly
• Dimensions: 5"Diameter x 5 1/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of vintage Japanese decorative art -- the koro's crane and turtle motifs carry centuries of meaning, making it a timeless living room accent or collector's treasure for 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 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.