Takaoka Cast Bronze Koro Incense Burner in the Form of the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel, Signed Seifu – A cast bronze koro from Takaoka, Toyama, the historic heart of Japanese bronze casting – Shaped after the nyoi hoju, the auspicious wish-fulfilling jewel of Buddhist tradition – Verdigris-style green patina enriched with patches of applied gold leaf Summary: A Japanese cast bronze incense burner made in Takaoka, signed 清富 (Seifu) on a gilded panel cast into the base. Its form follows the nyoi hoju, the wish-fulfilling jewel, with a full rounded belly, a flared neck, two tall angular handles and three short feet. The surface was hand-polished, lacquered, finished in a green verdigris-style patina and accented with gold leaf. A fitted lid with a ball finial is pierced with clusters of round holes to release the incense smoke. The patina is uneven in places, and the age is unknown. Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture has been a centre of metal casting since the early seventeenth century, when the lord Maeda Toshinaga invited casters to settle in the town. Over the centuries its workshops produced everything from cooking pots and temple lanterns to Buddhist ritual vessels and great bronze statues, and Takaoka copperware remains renowned throughout Japan today. This koro takes its shape from the nyoi hoju, the wish-fulfilling jewel that appears throughout Buddhist art as a symbol of good fortune and the granting of prayers. The body swells into a generous, rounded belly before narrowing to a waisted neck and opening into a broad, flat rim. Two tall handles rise from the shoulder in crisp, angular lines, giving the piece an archaic, almost ritual-bronze silhouette, and the whole stands on three short feet. The flat lid sits neatly within the rim and is topped with a small ball finial. Around it, the pierced holes are grouped into three blossom-like clusters, so that rising smoke escapes in a pleasing pattern. The interior is finished in a deep blue. The surface is the true pleasure of the piece. The bronze was hand-polished, lacquered and then given a soft, chalky green patina in imitation of ancient verdigris, its texture deliberately rough and mottled. Against this cool green, irregular patches of gold leaf glint on the lid and body, a classic Takaoka contrast of colour. The base carries a circular gilded panel with the cast name 清富 (Seifu) at its centre. Used with a little ash and charcoal or a cone of incense, it brings the quiet ritual of kodo, the Japanese way of appreciating fragrance, into daily life. Equally, it stands perfectly well as a decorative object on a shelf, a tokonoma alcove or a writing desk, where its sculptural handles and colouring catch the eye. There are some scratches and marks consistent with age and handling. The patina is uneven, with reddish-brown spots, some flaking, a pale whitish patch on one side of the body and small rubbed spots along the rim edge. The blue interior has a few dark spots. Please view the images closely for the overall condition. A characterful piece of Takaoka bronze, combining an auspicious form with the timeless appeal of green and gold. This listing contains AI Visualisations. Please refer to the original photographs for the actual object condition. 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. 1838