Iwachu Cast Iron

Quality and tradition: the family-owned company Iwachu, based in Morioka - Japan, has been casting iron for more than 100 years.

The cast-iron burners are fascinating to look at. When you hold them in your hand, their weight and feel are impressive. Find the one that best integrates into your home decoration. 

Cast Iron Incense Burners

Discover our exclusive collection of handcrafted cast iron incense burners, inspired by the Nambu Tekki tradition from Morioka. Made by master founders like Iwachu, these cast iron incense holders combine legendary durability, exceptional heat retention, and a minimalist Zen design that enhances any meditation, mindfulness, or aromatherapy ritual.

Why choose a Japanese cast iron censer?

Cast iron censers stand out from ceramic, brass, or wood burners for several key reasons:

  • Weight and Stability: Their solid build (300–800g) prevents accidental tipping, ideal for long sessions with resins or Japanese incense.
  • Eternal Durability: Heritage pieces passed down through generations; cast iron develops a beautiful patina over time.
  • Zen Aesthetics: Traditional designs like lotus flowers, cherry blossoms (sakura), or black bowls: the perfect addition to your Zen corner.
  • Perfect for Zen altars, yoga spaces, Feng Shui, or creating a peaceful atmosphere at home.

How to use your Iwachu censer

  • Cherry Blossom (Sakura) & Lidded Bowl: Fill with marble chips (included) or ash and insert the stick vertically. In Japan, they are filled with ash so sticks burn completely. Also suitable for palo santo, sage, and resins.
  • Lotus Flower: Place the stick in the included holder.
  • Fountain: Place the stick in any of the holes in the central volcano. If they become blocked, clean with a degreaser.
  • Crane: Place the stick in the slot on its back.

Everything you need to know about Iwachu Cast Iron

What are the advantages of a cast iron incense burner compared to other materials?

Cast iron censers (such as traditional Japanese Iwachu) stand out for their great durability, exceptional heat retention, and a weight that provides stability and a sense of solidity.

Cast iron is resistant, and its handcrafted finish adds an elegant, ancestral touch to your meditation corner or altar.

How to correctly use a cast iron censer for natural resins?

Step-by-step guide for burning resins (frankincense, myrrh, copal, jinkō):

  1. Place marble chips or ash at the bottom (protects the iron and facilitates cleaning).
  2. Light a quick-lighting charcoal tablet and wait 1–2 minutes until a grey ash layer forms.
  3. Place the charcoal on the sand and add 1–3 small grains of resin.
  4. Close the lid if your model has one (many Iwachu and Zen cauldrons include it) to control the smoke and prolong the aroma.
  5. Enjoy 15–40 minutes of pure aroma.

They are also perfect for Japanese incense sticks (inserting them into the marble chips) or cones.

How long does a high-quality cast iron censer last?

With normal use, an Iwachu Japanese cast iron censer lasts a lifetime (20–50 years or more). It is a heritage object, highly valued for its resistance and its patina, which improves over time.