Two Cranes

Vintage Late 1980's

TWO CRANES LETTER BOX

A superb Wajima lacquer letter box. Two stylised gold maki e lacquer cranes in flight , the first holding pine cones in its beak. Red seal mark of Ohashi Minoru bottom left.

Refer to the large images for full of details of quality and condition, as new in mint condition, a stored family treasure.

Original Tomobako - Wood Box - the cover with an Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest on it.

Length about : 29.5 cm Width about : 22 cm
Height about: 6.5 cm
Weight about: 744 grams

A$150

Ohashi Minoru a famous Wajima lacquer artist. Winner of the Grand Prize Japan General Art Exhibition many times. Prime Ministers Award.
Exhibited in Taipei City Art Museum Taiwan.
Kyoto City Mayors Prize.
Wajima City Art Exhibition exhibited every year since 1981, and much more.

The finest quality wood lacquer in the world is that made in Japan.
Made using only the best woods such as, Zelkova (keyaki), Japanese Chestnut, Japanese Cypress, Magnolia, Cherry.
It takes approximately 6 months and 23 different processes from start to finish to produce each individual Handmade Item


Wajima Lacquer:
Lacquer ware production in Wajima is thought to date back to ancient times. Lacquer products from 6,800 years ago have also been discovered at the Mibiki Ruins, also on the Noto Peninsula . In Wajima, lacquer products have been excavated at the Yadani B ruins, which are remains from the Heian period.
The oldest surviving Wajima lacquerware is said to be the vermilion door of the former main hall of Juzo Shrine (Kawaimachi, Wajima City), which is said to have been made in 1524 during the Muromachi period .
It is said that the current Wajima-nuri technique was established during the Kanbun era in the early Edo period. Wajima, located at the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula, was a port of call for ships such as the Kitamae-bune, and by this time they had already expanded their sales channels by taking advantage of shipping.

Today, Wajima lacquerware is widely sold as high-class lacquerware, and the Wajima Lacquer Art Museum in Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture has become a tourist spot.