– Marked Zuihōdō (瑞峰堂) within the Takaoka bronze tradition – Japan’s principal centre of artistic cast metal – Decorated with kara-shishi (Chinese guardian-lion) imagery in chōkin (engraved-line) work, set against the cast-bronze body – Substantial flower-vessel form, suited to ikebana use or to display as a sculptural object Summary: A signed Japanese cast-bronze vase (hanaire) from the Zuihōdō workshop, working within the Takaoka metalwork tradition. The body is decorated with kara-shishi – the so-called Chinese lions or guardian lions of East Asian decorative art – executed in chōkin engraving, the technique of cutting fine linework directly into the cast metal surface. The combination of weight, controlled surface treatment, and auspicious symbolism makes this a strong piece for European collectors of Japanese bronze and metalwork. The kara-shishi (Chinese lion) is one of the most enduring motifs in Japanese decorative art, imported originally from continental art traditions and naturalised over the centuries into a distinctively Japanese vocabulary. Shishi appear as guardian figures at temple gateways, as carved netsuke and sword fittings, and as decorative subjects across painting, ceramics, lacquerware, and metalwork. Their stylised manes, alert poses, and characteristic playfulness make them immediately recognisable. Chōkin – engraving directly into a cast-metal surface with a series of fine chisels – is one of the great Japanese metalworking techniques. Practised at the highest level on sword fittings during the Edo period, it migrated naturally onto vases, incense burners, and other decorative pieces during the Meiji era, when the dissolution of samurai patronage redirected master craftsmen into export and decorative markets. A vase carrying chōkin shishi imagery, signed by a recognised workshop, is a serious piece of decorative metalwork. The form is a substantial flower vessel suited to ikebana or to display as a sculptural object. The cast-bronze body has the weight and the warm undertone characteristic of Takaoka work. The chōkin lines read clearly across the shishi imagery, with the play of light across cast and engraved surfaces giving the piece visual depth. In a European interior the vase pairs well with dark wood, stone surfaces, and other Asian works of art. A single dramatic stem completes it as a flower vessel; left empty, it reads as quiet sculpture. Condition: light surface marks and signs of age consistent with a decorative bronze of this character. Careful review is encouraged. A signed Takaoka bronze in a classical decorative register. 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 bronze and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1619