Hisago Koro Futa-Oki Bronze Dragon Relief Tea Ceremony Lid Rest Incense Burner

A bronze alloy futa-oki in the form of a hisago koro — the fire-basket incense burner shape that has served as a lid rest in formal tea ceremony since the Edo period. The domed lid carries a coiling dragon in relief, its scales and form pressed into the metal with the kind of density that declares ceremonial weight. The pedestal base is articulated with geometric relief panels; the broad flange ring connecting dome to base is finished in a contrasting aged bronze tone.

The object functions on two registers simultaneously: as a practical utensil that steadies the kettle lid during service, and as a miniature sculptural statement about the meeting of fire and water in the tea room.

▸ Type: Hisago koro futa-oki (lid rest in incense burner form)
▸ Material: Bronze alloy (copper alloy casting)
▸ Surface: Dark oxidized patina on dome, aged bronze on base ring and stand
▸ Motif: Seiryu — coiling dragon in relief on dome lid
▸ Dimensions: Diameter approx. 5.5 cm, height approx. 7 cm
▸ Condition: Good vintage condition, appropriate patina throughout
▸ Mark: Seimei-zo (精美造) — "made with refined beauty"

◆ About Futa-Oki
The futa-oki is among the smallest and most considered utensils in the tea room. It receives the kettle lid and ladle during service — a brief resting place, a moment of pause made material. Bronze koro-shaped futa-oki carry the additional resonance of the incense burner, linking the tea gathering to the Buddhist ritual objects that preceded formal chanoyu.

◆ The Dragon Motif
The dragon (ryu) in East Asian decorative arts is not a symbol of fear but of auspicious power, of water, of imperial authority held in right relationship. On a tea utensil, the dragon presence transforms the act of service into something gestured toward ceremony.

【日本語説明】
銅合金製の火舎香炉蓋置。蓋に龍文の浮き彫り。精美造の刻銘。直径約5.5cm、高さ約7cm。格式高い茶道具として炉・風炉ともにお使いいただけます。

🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ]
• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days
• Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking)
• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials