※The lighter is for comparison purposes only. The piece will not have any smell or tar. 　Please rest assured. This is a four-sided lion-ear vase with a bird and flower design by Murata Hiroshi. Each side has a different design. The typically Japanese bird designs add to the piece's atmosphere. Hiroshi Murata (1936-) A leading figure in Japanese bronze casting, renowned for his precision casting and engraving techniques, he is an artist active in Takaoka, Japan. He is particularly skilled at expressing the dynamism and life of animals. Bronze works created in Takaoka are called Takaoka copperware. This traditional craft, crafted using copper and bronze, has a history of over 400 years in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. Its diverse range includes Buddhist altar fittings, vases, and tea ceremony utensils, as well as temple bells and bronze statues. It is characterized by beautiful coloring that makes use of rust and the high level of craftsmanship achieved through division of labor. During the Meiji period, this copperware was internationally acclaimed at events such as the Paris World's Fair, and became Japan's leading copperware producer. It is in excellent condition with no scratches or cracks.