Title:Long-handled Censer (ego_ro)
Artist:Artist Unknown
Date:Edo period
Creation Place:Asia, Japan
Credit Line:Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
Accession Number:2000.92
Artist:Artist Unknown
Date:Edo period
Creation Place:Asia, Japan
Credit Line:Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
Accession Number:2000.92
The long-handled censor is an important symbol of authority, held by high-ranking priests as they lead other monks through the temple to the main worship hall. In Buddhist ritual, the burning of incense before a holy image is one of six devotions considered to be effective in accruing religious merit. The diffusion of fragrant smoke symbolizes the permeation of Buddhism throughout the universe.