Vintage Japanese Porcelain Koro (Incense Burner), Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0696

Vintage Japanese Porcelain Koro (Incense Burner), Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0696

A studio-quality porcelain koro with hand-painted shorebirds and crashing waves -- crowned by a seated court figure finial -- offered with its original wood storage box.

A koro is a traditional Japanese incense burner, used in formal, ceremonial, and domestic settings to perfume the air during tea gatherings, Buddhist observances, or quiet contemplation. This exceptional example is hand-painted in gold and iron-gray overglaze enamels across a crisp ivory-white porcelain body of hexagonal form with elegantly chamfered corners. Each panel carries a continuous seascape composition -- dynamic curling waves rendered in bold, gestural linework, with shorebirds caught mid-flight above the surf. The brushwork is confident and unhurried, the kind of hand associated with a trained studio artist rather than factory production. A two-character artist's mark painted in gold appears on the base, and the piece retains its original fitted wood storage box with a brushed ink inscription on the lid -- a hallmark of collectible Japanese ceramic art from this period. The domed reticulated lid is pierced with radiating slots to allow incense smoke to rise freely, and is crowned by a delicate seated court figure in white robes resting on a lotus-petal base finished in gold and iron-black -- a detail of remarkable refinement at this scale.

Today this vintage Japanese porcelain koro makes a striking decorative accent for any interior. Display it on a living room shelf or console table as a sculptural focal point in a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic arrangement. Its compact footprint and all-around painted decoration make it equally at home on a bedroom nightstand, a home office desk, or a meditation space -- where its serene wave-and-bird imagery adds calm and visual depth. The original wood box adds provenance and display value, and the piece as a whole would make a meaningful gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics or Japanophiles seeking something genuinely distinctive.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Porcelain with gold and iron-gray overglaze enamels; original wood storage box
• Use: Incense burner (koro) for formal, ceremonial, or domestic use
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent; meditation or zen space display; gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics
• Features: Hexagonal body with chamfered cut corners; hand-painted continuous seascape with shorebirds and waves in gold and iron-gray enamels; reticulated domed lid with radiating pierced slots; seated court figure finial on a lotus-petal base in gold and iron-black; small bracket feet with gold-decorated pads; two-character artist mark in gold on base; original fitted wood storage box with brushed ink inscription
• Dimensions: 6"W x 5 1/4"D x 7 1/4"H
• Condition: Very good; lid shows age spotting consistent with period use; body and painted decoration remain vivid and intact

A rare and finely crafted piece of vintage Japanese porcelain art -- complete with its original wood box -- that brings the quiet beauty of a mid-century studio tradition 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 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.