Wipe clean with a dry or damp cloth. May be washed by hand with water and mild washing-up liquid, then dry thoroughly with a towel.
Incense Burner Hanabira
Iwachu
SKU
1742
Traditional Japanese Kōro incense burner with petal design in lid, made from matt black cast iron by Iwachu: the renowned Nanbu Tekki manufaturer with a 400-year-old history.
| Item | Incense burner |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron |
| Colour | Black |
| Dimensions | Ø8.5 x 9cm |
| Weight | 440g (approx.) |
| Brand | Iwachu |
| Origin | Morioka, Iwate, Japan |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
In stock
Iwachu
The name Iwachu is synonymous with robust cast ironware of the highest quality, with excellent functionality and contemporary designs. Iwachu has its roots in the Meiji period and upholds a 400-year-old Nanbu Tekki tradition. Master casters at the company are required to undergo a minimum of 15 years' training, meaning that all products meet the highest quality standards.
Kōro 香炉
The traditional Japanese incense burner, Kōro are ceramic or metal containers, often with three feet and a lid with openings to release the fragrant smoke. To use a Kōro, fill half-way with white ash or sand, then either stand incense sticks in the sand without the lid on, or place incense cones or coils directly on top of the ash, light, and put the lid back on.
Nanbu Tekki 南部鉄器
The origins of Nanbu Tekki, or Nanbu ironware, can be traced back to the mid-17th century, when the Nanbu samurai clan were in need of Buddhist altars, bells and chagama teapots to furnish their newly built castle in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, and so invited skilled metal casters from across the country to lend them a hand. Although the name Nanbu is written in kanji as "southern region", the clan ruled in the north of Japan, where materials needed for ironwork were naturally abundant. Highly durable, Nanbu Tekki is often deemed the best metalwork in Japan and makes beloved heirlooms – particularly cast iron kettles, or Tetsubin, which are highly sought after by collectors around the world. In 1975, Nanbu Tekki was designated the first certified Traditional Craft of Japan and refers exclusively to cast iron products made in the cities of Morioka and Oshu.
