Home > Art Collections > Japanese Incense Burners > Gallery 1


Kōro 香炉 (incense burners): Gallery 1

Scroll down or click on any of the tumbnails to go directly to that item.
Watanabe_2 (503K) koro_bizen_1 (379K) Hougyoku_koro_1 (422K) Kinoshita_Eiji_koro_2 (239K) Kutani_koro (339K) koro_1 (20K) Satsuma_koro_1 (130K) Kiyomizu_Yaki_koro (57K) Kyo-yaki_Mishima_style_koro (216K) Kutani_koro_2 (161K) Satsuma_koro_2 (134K) Tomori_Yukio_koro_bizen (93K) Hogyoku_Takaoka_copper_koro (149K)
Kutani_koro_goldleaf_decoration (224K) Yaheiji_Heian_koro (181K) bronze_koro_unmarked (203K) Satsuma_koro_3 (144K) Blue&white_koro (487K) Daikoku_mallet&mouse_pewter_koro (437K) Mingei_koro_mu (126K) Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko (157K) Celadon_crane&cloud_koro (508K) Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro (141K) Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro (137K) Shochikubai_copper_koro (188K) Cloisonne_koro (1020K)


Watanabe_2 (503K)
Creator.Personal Name: 渡辺城山.
Creator.Personal Name: Watanabe Jyōzan.
Description: three-footed, cylindrical hagi ceramic ware (hagiyaki 萩焼) incense burner of characteristic pink-orange multicolored clay with a translucent white glaze; the domed lid is pierced with a design of pauliownia leaves; early twentieth century; sealed on the bottom; with signed and sealed tomobako (共箱, original wooden storage box).
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: diameter 4.5 in. ; height 4.7 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view:
Watanabe_3 (478K)
Detail of cover:
Watanabe_detail_1 (556K)
Tomobako:
Watanabe_box (60K)
Seal on bottom:
Watanabe_detail_2 (194K)


koro_bizen_1 (379K) Creator.Personal Name: 藤原雄, 1932-2001.
Creator.Personal Name: Fujiwara Yū, 1932-2001.
Description: three-footed, bulbous Bizen ceramic ware (bizenyaki 備前焼) incense burner of characteristic unglazed mottled chocolate brown-tan multicolored clay with ash spotting and with an incised leaf pattern on the body and a pierced leaf pattern on the domed cover; early twentieth century; unidentified maker's mark on the bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: diameter 4.5 in. ; height 4.7 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Fujiwara Yū was the fourth Bizen potter to be named a Living National Treasure (LNT) in 1996.
Top:
koro_bizen_1_top (510K)
Detail:
koro_bizen_1_detail (299K)
Maker's mark on bottom:
koro_bizen_1_mark (67K)
Example of Fujiwara Yū's mark:
Fujiwara_Yu_mark (40K)


Hougyoku_koro_1 (422K) Creator.Personal Name: 寳玉.
Creator.Personal Name: Hōgyoku.
Description: bronze incense burner with a fitted cover; early twentieth century; unmarked; with signed and sealed tomobako (共箱, wooden storage box).
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Bronzes, Japanese.
Style.Period: Modern.
Material.Medium: bronze.
Measurements: diameter 4.5 in. ; height 4.7 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Another example by the same artists.
Tomobako:
Hougyoku_box_1 (450K)


Kinoshita_Eiji_koro_1 (437K) Creator.Personal Name: 木下栄司.
Creator.Personal Name: Eiji Kinoshita.
Creator.Role: potter.
Description: glazed ceramic incense burner with gold glazed pedestal and finial; seal stamped on inside of pedestal.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 6 x 4 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Kinoshita_Eiji_photo (45K) Eiji Kinoshita is a potter who lives and works in Oita Prefecture, in Kyushu Japan. He apprenticed with Hidetaka Ota in Koishiwara—a region in Kyushu known for its mingei style folk pottery.
Kinoshita_Eiji_koro_2 (239K)


Kutani_koro (339K) Creator.Corporate: Unknown.
Description: three-footed glazed Kutani ware ( 九谷焼 kutaniyaki) porcelain incense burner with gold and silver stylized landscape pattern on a glossy black background and a pierced lid; seal script version of "Kutani" 九谷 on bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 4 3/8 in. wide x 4 3/4 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Detail:
Kutani_koro_detail (377K)
Interior:
Kutani_koro_interior (455K)
Detail: bottom:
Kutani_koro_mark (197K)


koro_1 (20K) Creator.Personal Name: 幸央.
Creator.Personal Name: Sachio, Yukio, or Yukiteru.
Description: three-footed glazed ceramic incense burner with muted stripe pattern and some gilt; signature on bottom and on tomobako: 幸央 (Sachio, Yukio, or Yukiteru).
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3 3/4 in. wide x 3 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Tomobako and censor:
koro_1_censor_tomobako (99K)
Signature on bottom: 幸央.
koro_1_sig (86K)
Signature & seal on interior
of lid for the tomobako.
koro_1_sigseal (39K)


Satsuma_koro_1 (130K) Creator.Personal: ちと世窯.
Creator.Personal: Chitosekama.
Description: three-footed glazed Satsuma ware (薩摩焼 satsumayaki) porcelain incense burner with floral pattern on ivory colored background and an intricately pierced domed lid; characters for Satsuma 薩摩 on bottom; signature on tomobako; seal on tomobako reads 有水 (Arimizu, Usui, or Umi?).
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 2.56 in. wide x 2.56 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Bottom view with characters for Satsuma 薩摩.
Satsuma_koro_sig (51K)


Kiyomizu_Yaki_koro (57K) Creator: Unidentified.
Description: three-footed glazed Kiyomizu ceramic ware (清水焼 kiyomizuyaki) incense burner with mottled green-blue glaze and a pierced lid; unmarked; Kyoto's Kiyomizu ceramic ware originated in the area around Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 4 in. wide x 4.5 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Detail: lid.
Kiyomizu_Yaki_koro_lid (51K)


Kyo-yaki_Mishima_style_koro (216K) Creator: Unidentified.
Description: three-footed glazed Kyo-yaki ceramic ware incense burner with a pierced lid, Mishima technique (inlaid slip design with transparent glaze) floral pattern; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 4 in. wide x 3.5 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Detail: side view.
Kyo-yaki_Mishima_style_koro_detail (277K)
Detail: pierced lid.
Kyo-yaki_Mishima_style_koro_detail_2 (228K)


Kutani_koro_2 (161K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: four-footed glazed polychrome Kutani ware ( 九谷焼 kutaniyaki) porcelain incense burner with stylized floral pattern on white background and a pierced lid; seal on bottom 福 (fuku happiness, good fortune)—a common Kutani mark.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 1.8 in. wide x 3.2 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Top view.
Kutani_koro_2_top (133K)
Seal on bottom 福 (fuku happiness, good fortune).
Kutani_koro_2_mark (140K)


Satsuma_koro_2 (134K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: three-footed glazed polychrome Satsuma ware (薩摩焼 satsumayaki) porcelain incense burner with mille fleur pattern and a pierced lid; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3.9 in. wide x 4.3 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Detail: side.
Satsuma_koro_2_side (130K)


Tomori_Yukio_koro_bizen (93K) Creator.Personal Name: 友利幸夫, 1965-
Creator.Personal Name: Tomori Yukio, 1965-
Description: square Bizen stoneware ( bizenyaki 備前焼) incense burner with spotches of translucent glaze and a pierced lid; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3.2 in. wide x 3 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Tomori_Yukio_photo_2 (87K) Tomori Yukio was born in Miyakiojima near Okinawa in 1965 and started making pots near there in 1984. In 1987 he became an apprentice of Sueishi Taisetsu in Bizen City and became independent in 1991. Tomori has had his own anagama kiln in Bizen since 1999. Photo of the artist:
Side view.
Tomori_Yukio_koro_bizen_side (103K)
Detail: top and interior.
Tomori_Yukio_koro_bizen_side_2 (101K)
Detail: interior.
Tomori_Yukio_koro_bizen_interior (117K)


Hogyoku_Takaoka_copper_koro (149K) Creator.Personal Name: 寳玉.
Creator.Personal Name: Hōgyoku.
Description: three-footed Takaoka copper ware kōro (incense burner) with a pierced lid; twentieth century; unmarked; with signed and sealed tomobako (共箱, original wooden storage box).
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Copperwork—Japan.
Style.Period: Modern.
Material.Medium: copper.
Measurements: diameter 4.2 in. ; height 3.8 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Another example by the same artist..
Tomobako:
Hogyoku_Takaoka_copper_koro_tomobako (184K)
Detail of foot:
Hogyoku_Takaoka_copper_koro_detail_foot (171K)
Detail of interior:
Hogyoku_Takaoka_copper_koro_interior (119K)


Kutani_koro_goldleaf_decoration (224K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: three-footed, cylindrical glazed Kutani ware ( 九谷焼 kutaniyaki) porcelain incense burner with gold leaf pattern on a cobalt blue background; pierced openings in lid; seal on bottom reads 九谷白峯 (Kutani Shiramine*); with original tomobako.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 2 15/16 in. wide x 3 9/16 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

Shiramine 白峯 may be either a surname or a place name.

Seal on bottom: 九谷白峯
(Kutani Shiramine).
Kutani_koro_goldleaf_decoration_mark (121K)
Seals on tomobako lid,
lower left: 白峯 (Shiramine);
upper right: 九谷焼 (kutaniyaki).
Kutani_koro_goldleaf_decoration_tomobako_lid (1075K)


Yaheiji_Heian_koro (181K) Creator.Personal Name: 平安弥平次.
Creator.Personal Name: Yaheiji Heian.
Description: polychrome glazed tripod Kyo-yaki ceramic ware kōro (incense burner) with pierced lid; twentieth century; with signed and sealed tomobako (共箱, original wooden storage box); seal on the bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Modern.
Material.Medium: copper.
Measurements: diameter 4.5 in. ; height 4.5 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Tomobako and seal on
bottom of kōro:
Yaheiji_Heian_koro_tomobako_seal (214K)
Side view:
Yaheiji_Heian_koro_detail (205K)
Top view:
Yaheiji_Heian_koro_detail_top (182K)
Seal on bottom:
Yaheiji_Heian_koro_seal (93K)
Tomobako lid:
Yaheiji_Heian_koro_tomobako_lid (202K)


bronze_koro_unmarked (203K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: simple bronze urn-shaped kōro (incense burner); twentieth century; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Bronzes, Japanese.
Style.Period: Modern.
Material.Medium: bronze.
Measurements: diameter 4.5 in. ; height 3.5 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
bronze_koro_unmarked_side (152K)
Side view:
bronze_koro_unmarked_side_2 (157K)


Satsuma_koro_3 (144K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: three-footed crackle glazed Satsuma ware (薩摩焼 satsumayaki) porcelain kōro (incense burner) with a polychrome autumn scene of nobles viewing maple leaves with gilt highlights on ivory colored background; a pierced domed lid with swirl patterns and gilt finial; Shimazu clan crest on bottom of kōro.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3.5 in. wide x 2.25 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Satsuma_koro_3_detail (142K)
Detail: interior.
Satsuma_koro_3_interior (142K)
Bottom view with Shimazu clan mark (cross within a circle).
Satsuma_koro_3_Shimazu_mark (41K)


Blue&white_koro (487K) Creator: Unidentified.
Description: three-footed blue and white glazed porcelain kōro (incense burner) with landscape; a pierced domed lid and a swirl pattern on the collar of the lower part; unidentified signature on bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3 in. wide x 3 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Blue&white_koro_side (489K)
Detail:
Blue&white_koro_detail (542K)
Unidentified signature on bottom.
Blue&white_koro_mark (378K)


Daikoku_mallet&mouse_pewter_koro (437K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: pewter and brass kōro (incense burner) shaped as Daikoku's mallet with a mouse finial; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Art metalwork, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: metalwork.
Measurements: 7 in. long x 4.75 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Daikoku_mallet&mouse_pewter_koro_side (496K)
Detail: interior.
Daikoku_mallet&mouse_pewter_koro_interior (491K)
Bottom view.
Daikoku_mallet&mouse_pewter_koro_bottom (479K)


Mingei_koro_mu (126K) Creator: Unknown.
Description: three-footed, green glazed Mingei ceramic kōro (incense burner) with a pierced lid; katakana ム "mu" appears as a seal on the bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: metalwork.
Measurements: 4.5 in. wide x 5.5 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Mingei_koro_mu_side (129K)
Katakana ム "mu" seal on bottom.
Mingei_koro_mu_mark (75K)


Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko (157K) Creator.Personal Name: 平安陶春.
Creator.Personal Name: Heian Toshun.
Description: three-footed Kyo-yaki ceramic ware incense burner with a pierced lid and a copper-based pink/red glaze (shinsha 辰砂); artist's seal on bottom; Toshun 陶春.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 4.5 in. wide x 4.5 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko_side (132K)
Detail: interior.
Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko_interior (141K)
Seal on bottom: Toshun 陶春.
Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko_mark (98K)
Tomobako lid.
Heian_Toshun_koro_yuriko_tomobako_lid (228K)


Celadon_crane&cloud_koro (508K) Creator: Unidentified.
Description: three-footed hexagonal Celadon glazed incense burner with a pierced lid and an overall cranes and clouds pattern; kanji on bottom seems to read: 峰鶴.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3 in. wide x 5 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Detail: interior.
Celadon_crane&cloud_koro_interior (617K)
Characters on bottom seem to read: 峰鶴.
Celadon_crane&cloud_koro_sig (586K)


Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro (141K) Creator.Personal Name: 丸山憲一.
Creator.Personal Name: Maruyama Keni'ichi.
Description: three-footed Bizen ceramic ware (bizenyaki 備前焼) incense burner with a pierced lid and an eggplant shape; seal on bottom: Bizen 備前; signed tomobako.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Pottery, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: ceramic (material).
Measurements: 3.8 in. wide x 4.9 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro_side (141K)
Detail: interior.
Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro_interior (135K)
Seal on bottom: Bizen 備前.
Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro_mark (171K)
Signed tomobako lid.
Maruyama_Keniichi_bizen_koro_tomobako_lid (191K)


Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro (137K) Creator.Personal Name: 白峰.
Creator.Personal Name: Hakuhō.
Description: three-footed Takaoka bronze incense burner shaped like a treasure bag with karako boys 唐子 (boys in ancient Chinese dress) and with a pierced lid; artist's seal on bottom.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Bronzes, Japanese.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: bronze.
Measurements: 4 7/8 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.

See another example of Hakuhō's work.
Side view.
Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro_side (150K)
Detail:
Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro_detail (146K)
Seal on bottom: Hakuhō 白峰.
Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro_mark (141K)
Tomobako lid.
Hakuho_karoka_bronze_koro_tomobako (174K)


Shochikubai_copper_koro (188K) Creator.Personal Name: 精山.
Creator.Personal Name: Seizan.
Description: three-footed cylindrical copper incense burner with a lid pierced in a birds and waves pattern; each foot represents one of the three friends in winter—namely the pine, plum, and bamboo (see saikan sanyū 歳寒三友); artist's seal on bottom: Seizan 精山; with a signed tomobako</>.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Copperwork—Japan.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: copper.
Measurements: 4 7/8 in. high.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Pierced lid with birds and waves pattern.
Shochikubai_copper_koro_lid (216K)
Saikan sanyū 歳寒三友 motif.
Shochikubai_copper_koro_details (83K)
Seal on bottom: Seizan 精山.
Shochikubai_copper_koro_mark (200K)
Tomobako lid.
Shochikubai_copper_koro_tomobako_lid (173K)


Cloisonne_koro (1020K) Creator.Personal Name: Unknown.
Description: circular cloisonné incense burner with pierced rim and flower design; unmarked.
Subject: Incense burners and containers—Japan.
Subject: Cloisonné—Japan.
Style.Period: Contemporary.
Material.Medium: metal and enamel.
Measurements: diameter 2.4 in., height 2 in. .
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Side view.
Cloisonne_koro_side (856K)
Second side view.
Cloisonne_koro_side_2 (1091K)


Kōro 香炉 | Kōro: Gallery 2