National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

This is a bucket-like container for hanging down with a bonfire built in it. The body is made by putting two steel plates together vertically and putting two belts on the body to divide it into three tiers. The mouth has an out-turned lip and a pedestal base-frame (Kamachi-za) with foiled spandrels (Kozama) is adopted. The rings for hanging it are in the shape of a vine and the butterfly-shaped lid is attached with a hinge (Chotsugai). The design, including the flower motifs, the three-legged bird (Kin-u) representing the sun and the jade rabbit (Gyokuto) representing the moon between the rings, is in the style of ancient times. There is a description in black ink saying that a master of the tea ceremony Kagetsuan Tanaka Gaju altered this container into a charcoal brazier (Furo) in the Edo period (1615-1868) and its picture is introduced as "Furo" in the "Gohomotsu-zue" (Illustration of Imperial Treasures).

The inscription on the outside of the body of the inner brazier: "In ancient times, inside the Furo (a charcoal brazier)/Assistant chief Kagetsuan Gaju respectfully thought it."
Letters written in black ink to the right of the above: "In ancient times"
The inscription to the right of the above: "In ancient times the Fu…"