Crescent Moon Titanium Incense & Flower Holder

At a glance

• Dual-purpose design holds either stick incense or a single flower stem, changing character with what you place in it
• Hand-worked titanium resists rust, making the form suited to both incense and flowers with water
• Visible hammer marks, flowing curves and subtle variations in the metal give every piece an individual finish

A single object that shifts naturally between fragrance and flowers.

Used for incense, the central holder secures a stick above the long, shallow form so falling ash collects below. Add a little water and a single flower or grass stem instead, and the same piece becomes a small flower arrangement rather than an incense burner.

The crescent form is made from titanium, a material particularly well suited to that dual purpose. It is durable and resistant to rust, allowing water to be used for flowers without changing to a separate vessel.

Its character comes from the handwork rather than added decoration. Hammer marks remain visible across the surface, while the gently rising sides create a fluid silhouette that changes depending on the angle from which it is viewed. Small differences in texture, curves and finish make each piece slightly different.

At 17cm long, Crescent Moon has enough presence to stand on its own without feeling bulky. With incense, the smoke rises above the sweeping metal form; with a single stem, that same curve becomes a quiet frame around the flower.

Made individually by metal artist and blacksmith Makoto Kawakami at Atelier Zanmaitei in Komatsu, Ishikawa. His work centres on hand-forged metal objects with flowing forms, using materials including titanium and iron.

* Incense sticks shown in the photos are not included

Using It for Incense

Position the incense securely in the central holder so the burning stick sits over the shallow tray.

The elongated form catches falling ash beneath the incense while leaving the smoke visually open above it.

Allow the incense and holder to cool fully before removing ash or handling.

Using It for Flowers

Add a small amount of water to the shallow vessel and position a single flower, grass or seasonal stem in the holder.

The restrained scale keeps the arrangement focused on the natural line of one stem rather than creating a conventional bouquet.

Because the piece is made from rust-resistant titanium, water can be used directly in the vessel.