Takaoka Metalwork Shishiashi Kawasemi Arhat Lid Incense Burner

Takaoka Metalwork Shishiashi Kawasemi Arhat Lid Incense Burner

This large incense burner stands on sturdy lion-paw (shishiashi) feet and is decorated with a kingfisher (kawasemi) motif around its body. Atop the lid sits a finely modeled figure of a Rakan (Arhat), one of the enlightened disciples of the Buddha, giving the piece a contemplative, temple-like presence.

This piece is a work of Takaoka copperware (Takaoka douki), a metal-casting craft from Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, with a history of more than 400 years dating back to the early Edo period. Local artisans use traditional sand-mold casting to shape the body, feet, and lid figure separately before assembling and hand-finishing the piece to bring out the fine detail of the kingfisher and Arhat figures.

How to Use

Fill the bowl partway with incense ash, then place a lit incense cone, cored charcoal, or an incense stick into the ash. The lid can be left in place or removed while the incense burns, and the piece also serves as an impressive display object even when not in use.

Product Details

Material: Copper
Size: 22 x 18.5 x 43 cm (8.66 x 7.28 x 16.93 in)
Includes: Fabric-covered decorative box