Beautiful in its simplicity.
"Works well. I thought the middle incense stick holder would be attached to bowl but it's not. Not an issue but not what I expected."
so simply captivating
"I am using the incense holder for almost a year now and still brings joy looking at it. I love the shape and the size is perfect for me. Easy to clean and the middle golden incense holder is beautifully done. I admire Japanese designs, so thoughtful and clean."
"First, I shake my head at a couple of the reviews suggesting the holder is not stable. Of course it isn’t - if you haven’t read the marketing blurb it is designed for JAPANESE INCENSE, not for the usual longer Indian bamboo-stick incense. [Unfortunate people with money and a need don’t already have reading comprehension. I’m guilty of the same silliness at times, so I’m speaking to the idiot in my mirror as well as those who claim they are “fixing” a perfectly created product by getting out the glue gun.]
This is an easy example of Zen art used in the home; Zen-based technology.
The manufacturer hints to use their Japanese incense but I’ve used a few different types. All work.
The length of the hole in the brass piece precludes the incense and holder from tipping over. Brilliant.
But, youngsters, this is a Japanese company making an elegant simple design in to a sufficient technology for the purpose of holding Japanese incense sticks.
By the way, Tibetan incense sticks are similarly made but a bit thicker. I don’t have any of those, so could not assess if they would fit.
I usually burn resin incense, which I could do by removing the brass and replacing with ash or sand to hold the charcoal but i wouldn’t mess with the prettiness of this bowl’s finish by incorporating a lot of heat on it. [I have a beautiful simple soapstone bowl for that purpose.]
If you’re willing to raise up your enjoyment of burning and experiencing the subtleness of Japanese incense this Zen Black Gold will tickle your aesthetic fancies.
Well done. Thank you."