This container, in the shape of a Japanese sweet bun filled with bean jam (manju), is named after the sweets it was made to hold. It is called a "manju-bitsu" (literally, bean-sweets chest). In Kyoto, from where this container came, bean jam sweets used to be (in eras past) presented to guests at large gatherings in a container such as this one. It is made of a solid carved-out piece of keyaki wood (zelkova) and lacquered red over black on the inside, and black on the outside. Lid fits ...click for details
This is a set of 5 cinnabar-red lacquered bowls (with lids) from Japan. Each of the lids is decorated with a chrysanthemum and dwarf bamboo leaf motif. The rims are all trimmed in black lacquer. I believe them to date from the early-mid 20th century.
The bowls and lids are made of very thin wood. The lacquering work is smooth and even. This is a very good quality set. ...click for details
This is a Japanese lacquered dish made of wood. The design on the surface--allover arabesque motif--was intricately and skillfully handpainted with red lacquer over a black lacquer ground. Such red-over-black motifs are common in Okinawan lacquer. Comes in a wooden box marked "kashibachi" (dish for sweets), indicating that this dish was meant for serving traditional Japanese sweets--kashi--with tea; at tea ceremony, etc. Very special dish! ...click for details
This is a lovely large lacquered tray made in Japan. It was made using the "coopering" technique, in which strips of wood are cut at an angle and assembled into a circle (like a barrel). This tray is lacquered, then wrapped with twisted strips of bamboo, which are also lacquered.
The stickers on the bottom indicate that it was made by a master craftsman in a high-quality workshop (as designated by the Japanes ...click for details
This is a set of five very special Yoshino lacquerware dishes dating from the late Edo to the early Meiji periods (100-150 years old). Yoshino lacquerware (yoshino nuri), from the town of Yoshino (located in today's Ishikawa Prefecture), began to be made in Japan in the 1500s. It rose in prominence after the famous tea master, Sen no Rikyu, commissioned several Yoshino artisans (in 1587) to produce items for the shogun's upcoming cherry blossom viewing party. These dishes here show the s ...click for details
