Koro or incense burner in the form of a frog sitting atop a lotus pod, whose curling stem and leaves form its support. The lotus of hammered silver and chiseled silver; the frog of cast shibuichi or silver bronze with inlaid silver spots on the back and the stomach of inlaid silver, the eyes inlaid in gold and shakudo. Signed by the artist on the reverse of the lid with a chiseled signature: Yamakawa Koji Saku or Made by Yamakawa Koji (Yamakawa Koji II, the go or art name of Yamakawa Kotaro, 1859 – 1930). Late Meiji – Taisho era, circa 1900 – 1920.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the reverse of the lid: Hasu (no) Mi Koro or Lotus Pod Incense Burner; and signed: Yamakawa Koji, and sealed: Koji.

Born in Kanazawa, Yamakawa Koji II studied under Yamakawa Koji I. After his father passed away, Koji II worked at a bronze casting company. Following that firm’s bankruptcy, he worked independently and trained many apprentices. Beginning at the World’s Contemporary Decorative Art and Craft Fair (Bankoku Gendai Soshoku Bijutsu Kogei Hakurankai) held in France in 1925, Koji II entered his works into many domestic and international exhibitions, where they won many awards.

For another example of his work, c.f. the Ishikawa Prefectural Art Museum catalogue, The Art of Ishikawa, page 123, number 143.