Koro or incense burner in the form of a modernist, Art Deco crab. Of cast and patinated bronze. Signed on the reverse with a cast, seal-form signature by the artist: Torizo (Morimura Torizo, 1897 – 1949). Showa 14 or 1939.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Chudo Kani Koro or Cast Bronze Crab Incense Burner; and on the reverse of the lid noted and dated: Dai San-kai Mombusho Bijutsu Tenrankai Shuppin, Showa Ju-yon-nen, Aki or Made for Exhibition at the Third Ministry of Education Art Exhibition (the 3rd Shin-Bunten Exhibition), Showa (era) 14th Year, in Autumn, and signed: Morimura Torizo Saku or Made by Morimura Torizo, and sealed: Torizo.

With the original, red-lacquered paulownia wood, rectangular display stand; and its padded, cotton storage bag with a sumi inscription by the artist: Chudo Kani Koro no Dai or Cast Bronze Incense Burner Stand, and signed: Tokyo, Morimura Torizo.

This crab censor was made for exhibition at the 3rd Shin-Bunten in 1939, and it is illustrated in the Nittenshi, volume 13, page 539, number 160.