Japanese Takaoka Kōro by Suga Tsukiyoshi

Exceptional Japanese Silvered Bronze Kōro by Master Suga Tsukiyoshi

Traditional Takaoka Bronze Art | Lost-Wax Casting | Signed | Original Tomobako & Artist Documentation

Among the finest traditions of Japanese metalworking, few are as highly respected as the bronze foundries of Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. For more than four centuries, Takaoka has been synonymous with exceptional bronze casting, producing works for temples, shrines, tea ceremonies, and the most discerning collectors. This remarkable incense burner (kōro) is an outstanding example of that living tradition.

Created by Master Suga Tsukiyoshi (art name Gesshō), this sculpture embodies the refinement of the traditional lost-wax casting technique (Rōgata Chūzō), one of Japan’s most demanding artistic processes. Every dragon, every phoenix, every flowing cloud, and every decorative detail was originally sculpted entirely in wax before being transformed into bronze through a single casting. Because the wax model is destroyed during casting, each work possesses its own individual character and can never be exactly duplicated.

The vessel is richly decorated with high-relief dragons emerging from swirling clouds, while elegant phoenix handles gracefully rise from each side. Supporting the body are four powerful mythical beast feet, giving the piece remarkable presence and balance. The lid is crowned by a finely sculpted Qilin (Kirin), the mythical creature that symbolizes prosperity, wisdom, justice, and the arrival of great rulers in East Asian tradition.

The intricate openwork lid allows incense smoke to escape elegantly while simultaneously serving as an artistic composition in itself. Every surface demonstrates exceptional chasing, modelling, and finishing, revealing the extraordinary level of craftsmanship associated with Takaoka bronze masters.

This kōro is preserved in its original signed tomobako, complete with the artist’s seal and an original biography documenting Suga Tsukiyoshi’s career. According to this documentation, Tsukiyoshi represents the third generation of a distinguished family of bronze artists specializing in the ancient lost-wax casting tradition. After graduating from the prestigious Takaoka metal arts school, he studied under both his father and his renowned uncle before establishing his own independent workshop in 1983 under the artist name Gesshō. Throughout his career his works were repeatedly accepted into important exhibitions and received awards for artistic excellence.

The survival of the complete presentation set—including the signed wooden storage box, original artist documentation, and the matching seal beneath the vessel—adds significantly to both the historical integrity and collector appeal of the piece.

Far more than a decorative object, this kōro represents the continuation of one of Japan’s oldest bronze casting traditions. It is a work where sculpture, symbolism, and technical mastery merge into a museum-quality object suitable for the finest collections of Japanese art.

For collectors of exceptional Japanese bronzes, Takaoka craftsmanship, and traditional metalwork, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a documented work by an established master whose career reflects the highest standards of modern Japanese bronze artistry.