– A traditional Japanese mitsugusoku, the three-piece altar set used in domestic Buddhist worship – Solid brass, decorated with a relief bird motif – the auspicious crane and floral imagery – A coherent altar grouping at a comfortable interior scale: vase ~10 × 10.7 cm, incense burner ~8.5 × 9.5 cm, candle stand ~6 × 19 cm Summary: A complete Japanese mitsugusoku – the three-element altar set of flower vase (kebyō / hanatate), incense burner (kōro) and candle stand (shokudai) – cast and finished in solid brass and decorated with a bird-and-flower motif in low relief. Used at the heart of every traditional Japanese household altar (butsudan), the mitsugusoku is one of the most quietly meaningful object groups in Japanese material culture, and translates beautifully into European interior settings as a sculptural decorative ensemble. The three elements together symbolise the fundamental offerings of Japanese Buddhist devotion: flowers (representing impermanence and beauty), incense (representing purity and the carrying away of impurities), and light (representing wisdom dispelling darkness). For more than a thousand years, almost every household altar in Japan was anchored by a brass or bronze set of just this kind. This particular set is decorated with a bird in flight – most likely a crane, the classical East Asian emblem of long life and marital fidelity – set among scrolling foliage. The relief is crisp and assured, suggesting careful chasing and finishing of the cast surface. Brass gives the pieces a warm, slightly golden tone that ages gracefully into a soft honeyed patina. In a European interior, the set works on multiple levels. Used in a meditation or quiet-room setting, it can perform its original purpose. As a purely decorative grouping, it sits elegantly on a console table, mantelpiece, or low cabinet, where the three differently scaled forms create a balanced architectural rhythm. Pair it with Japanese ceramics or a small Buddhist sculpture for full effect. Condition shows the gentle ageing expected of a household altar set: minor surface marks, slight tarnish in places, and the soft patina of long use. None of this affects the overall integrity of the pieces. A handsome and historically resonant ensemble, ideal for collectors of Asian devotional metalwork or simply for design-conscious admirers of Japanese form. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese metalwork and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1554