Suzuribako in Japanese urushi lacquer by Wajima – gold maki-e bamboo decoration

Rectangular suzuribako writing box of Japanese craftsmanship in wood and very deep and glossy urushi lacquer from Wajima on which a very beautiful bamboo decoration has been applied (symbol of uprightness, flexibility and longevity, bamboo embodies quiet strength in Japanese aesthetics). These motifs were made with the hira-maki-e technique (flat patterns made by sprinkling gold powder on a thin layer of lacquer, then polished for a smooth surface). The interior is covered with a black lacquer of a very beautiful luster, in perfect continuity with the exterior.

This box consists of 3 parts: the bottom, the lid and a subadai, a similarly lacquered wooden "board" usually used to protect calligraphy items during transport. This is a unique copy dating from the Heisei era (1989 - 2019), in perfect condition, accompanied by its protective box made of paulownia wood (tomobako), unsigned – which is common for this type of object, especially when it was intended for personal use or given in a formal setting.

Suzurikabo (硯箱) are ink boxes (bako) (suzuri), traditionally used to gather and store in the same place all the instruments used for calligraphy (except for the paper, which is kept in another box, the ryōshibako). They therefore usually contain an ink stone, brushes, an ink stick, a dropper, and a brush rest. Beyond their primary use, they are exceptional and precious decorative objects in which treasures can be hidden.

Wajima lacquerware, or Wajima-nuri, is one of Japan's most renowned lacquerware, particularly prized for its depth, durability, and sophistication. The Noto Peninsula, where Wajima City is located, was struck by a devastating earthquake on January 1, 2024, and many lacquer artisans lost their tools of work. We hope that the invaluable legacy of these skills will continue, even if it takes time to rebuild.