Censer with Kingfisher Knob 1820

This is a censer with a kingfisher knob, made by Eiraku Hozen, a Japanese artist who lived between 1795 and 1854. The censer is adorned with stylized motifs of what appear to be plants or flowers and is crowned with the figure of a kingfisher. The kingfisher, with its vibrant plumage and association with water, symbolizes swiftness, prosperity, and marital fidelity in East Asian cultures. Consider the 'halcyon days' of Greek myth – a period of calm and peace associated with the kingfisher's nesting period near the winter solstice, a time of dark, brooding introspection. This connects the bird to themes of tranquility and renewal. The kingfisher as a symbol transforms across cultures and epochs. Like the resurfacing of ancient memories in dreams, symbols possess a cyclical quality. They evolve, adapt, and reappear in new contexts. Such motifs become powerful forces, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, and reminding us of the enduring human quest for meaning and connection across time.