香 炉(こうろ)

こうろ

noun

incense burner; censer

tool

1. incense burner, censer

A vessel designed for burning incense. Used in religious ceremonies, tea ceremonies, and for home fragrance.

香炉(こうろ)にお香(こう)を焚(た)いた。

I burned incense in the incense burner.

仏壇(ぶつだん)の前(まえ)に香炉(こうろ)が置(お)いてある。

There's an incense burner in front of the Buddhist altar.

この香炉(こうろ)は江戸時代(えどじだい)のものだ。

This incense burner is from the Edo period.

茶室(ちゃしつ)には香炉(こうろ)が欠(か)かせない。

An incense burner is essential for a tea room.

Traditional japanese item

香炉(こうろ) is a vessel for burning incense (お香(こう)/線香(せんこう)). They are made from various materials including ceramic, bronze, and cloisonne.

Types

仏前(ぶつぜん)香炉(こうろ): For Buddhist altars
茶道(さどう)香炉(こうろ): For tea ceremony
聞香(もんこう)用(よう)香炉(こうろ): For kodo incense appreciation

Functions

仏事(ぶつじ): Buddhist ceremonies and daily prayers
茶道(さどう): Tea ceremony (to create ambiance)
香道(こうどう): The art of incense appreciation
部屋(へや)の香(かお)り付(づ)け: Home fragrance

Etymology

香炉(こうろ)灰(ばい): Incense burner ash
香炉(こうろ)台(だい): Incense burner stand

Cultural note

香炉(こうろ) are often passed down as family heirlooms and can be valuable antiques. High-quality incense burners are prized in 茶道(さどう) and are sometimes displayed as art objects.

general

Added 2026.1.17 17:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 11:55

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