Shokodokaori

Around 70 years ago, Akira Takagi, the founder of Shoko-do, who began our journey in the trade of tea and copperware, was captivated by the timeless beauty of the hanging incense burners passed down through the old families of Takaoka. Enchanted by their elegance, he sought to elevate these burners into masterpieces, bringing together the finest elements of Japanese craftsmanship—metalwork, lacquer art, maki-e, raden, and braided cords.

However, before his vision could be fully realized, Akira passed away, leaving the incense burner unfinished. It remained untouched, resting in its bare wooden form, without the adornments that would have completed its transformation.

Yet, within our hearts, a flame continued to burn—a fervent desire to preserve and pass down the hanging incense burner as a crystallization of Takaoka’s aesthetic sensibilities to future generations.

And then, 30 years later, what once seemed like a dream lost to time finally came to fruition. After decades of waiting, the passion for the hanging incense burner was brought to life, fulfilling a vision that had long been nurtured in silence.