Bronze incense burner by Kaishu TAKAHASHI

Takahashi Kaishu was born in Kanazawa in 1905 and remained there until his studies at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He subsequently exhibited at the Teiten, the Imperial Art Exhibition. Over a career spanning the better part of a century, he became a master of Kaga zōgan, the celebrated inlay technique of the former Kaga domain, specialising in bronze casting and the inlay of soft metals. Takahashi exhibited widely, including at international expositions in Belgium and Chicago, where his work was awarded a gold medal. His most significant distinction, however, was his recognition as a holder of Intangible Cultural Property by Ishikawa Prefecture.