Item Description: This elegant cast bronze incense burner (koro) was crafted by Seiseido, a workshop specializing in traditional Takaoka copperware. The piece exemplifies the refined casting techniques and artistic sensibility characteristic of Takaoka bronze metalwork, one of Japan's most prestigious traditional craft industries with over 400 years of history. The incense burner features a compact, graceful form with a balanced spherical body, demonstrating the precision and skill inherent in traditional bronze casting. The surface exhibits the warm patina and subtle coloring achieved through specialized finishing techniques unique to Takaoka copperware. This type of incense burner has been an essential element of Japanese cultural practices, used in tea ceremony, Buddhist rituals, and daily life for purifying spaces and creating contemplative atmospheres. Takaoka copperware originated in 1611 when the feudal lord Maeda Toshinaga invited seven master metalworkers to the castle town of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture to establish the metalworking industry. Initially focused on practical iron implements, the craft evolved to embrace bronze casting during the Edo period, developing sophisticated decorative techniques including engraving, inlay, and specialized patination. The casting, finishing, and coloring processes remain largely unchanged from traditional methods, with specialized artisans dedicating themselves to each stage of production. In 1975, Takaoka copperware became one of Japan's first officially designated Traditional Craft Products, recognizing both its historical significance and the continuation of authentic handcrafted techniques. Today, Takaoka remains Japan's premier bronze casting center, producing everything from small tea ceremony implements to monumental outdoor sculptures. This incense burner comes in its original signed wooden box (tomobako), indicating its status as a carefully preserved work. The piece remains in excellent unused condition, making it an outstanding acquisition for collectors of Japanese metalwork, tea ceremony practitioners, or those seeking authentic traditional crafts with both aesthetic and functional value. Size Height: 10.5 cm Width: 10.5 cm Depth: 10.5 cm Weight: 542 g Condition Excellent unused condition with original patina. Includes original signed wooden box. Artist Profile Takaoka copperware (Takaoka-doki) represents over four centuries of Japanese bronze casting excellence, originating in Toyama Prefecture's Takaoka City. The craft was established in 1611 when feudal lord Maeda Toshinaga invited seven master metalworkers from Kawachi Province to establish a casting workshop, initially producing practical iron implements for the castle town. During the mid-Edo period, as living standards rose and demand for decorative objects increased, Takaoka artisans shifted focus to bronze casting. The malleable nature of copper alloys allowed for intricate, delicate forms impossible in iron, leading to production of Buddhist implements, tea ceremony utensils, flower vases, and incense burners. This period saw the development of sophisticated finishing techniques including engraving (chokoku), inlay (zogan), and specialized patination methods that became hallmarks of the tradition. The production process follows traditional methods perfected over centuries. Artisans create original models, form sand molds, cast molten bronze at precisely controlled temperatures (1150-1250°C), then apply finishing techniques including polishing, engraving, inlay work, and chemical patination to achieve rich surface colors and textures. This division of labor among specialized craftsmen—pattern makers, casters, engravers, and finishers—ensures the highest quality at each stage. In 1975, Takaoka copperware received designation as a Traditional Craft Product from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, recognizing both its historical significance and commitment to authentic handcraft techniques. Today, Takaoka remains Japan's premier bronze casting center, producing everything from small tea ceremony implements to monumental outdoor sculptures, continuing a legacy of metalworking excellence spanning four centuries. NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.