Chōjū-giga Metal Animal Incense Holder

Chōjū-giga (鳥獣戯画) is one of Japan’s most iconic visual traditions. Scholars think they were drawn by artists at Kōzan-ji temple in Kyoto. The animals are humorous but deeply symbolic:

Frogs → humour, agility, vitality

Rabbits → cleverness, quick thinking, good fortune

Monkeys → mischief, boldness, social play

Craft makers often use these animals to bring a sense of lightness and charm to incense rituals. Our trio of fighters looks like a scene lifted right out of Scroll A (the most famous scroll), where animals are training, sparring, and rushing into mock battle.

Frog

The kaeru (蛙 or frog) — wonderfully iconic in Japanese culture — represents transformation, return and safe passage. It is also, of course, the heart of Kaeru’s own identity: the feeling of coming home. This metal incense holder depicts the frog mid-charge, lively and full of character, echoing scenes from the ancient Chōjū-giga scrolls where frogs spar, leap and lead the playful chaos. A symbol of return, vitality and good fortune — an incense companion that quietly ties back to the spirit of Kaeru itself.

Monkey

A lively figure from the Chōjū-giga scrolls, the saru (猿 or monkey) carries that spirited, agile energy monkeys are loved for in Japanese folklore. Cast in metal with deliberate weight, this incense holder captures a moment mid-stride — as if racing through an ancient tale. Monkeys appear throughout the original scrolls as bold, playful tricksters, always pushing the scene forward. Here, the figure becomes a companion to your incense ritual, holding space while the fragrance drifts through the room. A small reminder of movement, curiosity and mischief-free courage.

Rabbit

The usagi (兎 or rabbit) appears in the Chōjū-giga as quick-thinking, agile and full of grace — a symbol of good fortune and sharp intuition. This metal incense holder captures the rabbit in motion, poised with a quiet determination. In Japan, rabbits are associated with cleverness, lunar symbolism, and soft resilience. When placed beside a burning incense stick, the figure feels like a guardian of the moment: alert, light, and gently protective. A thoughtful piece for inviting clarity and auspicious calm into your space.

Sourcing Story

We found these small metal warriors during a slow wander through Kuramae — a neighbourhood where workshops hum quietly behind half-open doors. A soft trail of incense drifted into the street, and we followed it into a tiny metal studio filled with the scent of cooling tin. On a wooden shelf stood three familiar figures from the Chōjū-giga scrolls — a frog, a rabbit and a monkey — each mid-motion, as if lifted straight from the ancient scenes. We tested one with incense, and the smoke curled around them as though they were sparring with the scent itself. They felt playful, traditional and full of character — everything Kaeru loves in a small object. So we brought them home, carrying a little piece of Kuramae’s quiet magic with us.