I：Wajima Lacquerware Jubako with Gold Maki-e Fan Motifs

Origin: Japan

Size: 23.5 x 22 x 23 cm 

Material: Urushi lacquer on natural wood base

The fan motif—known as senmen in Japanese—has long been cherished as a symbol of prosperity and graceful refinement. Its characteristic shape, unfolding outward in a wide arc, conveys the idea of expansion, good fortune, and celebration. In traditional Japanese culture, the fan is more than a practical object; it is a vessel of poetry, ceremony, and aesthetics.

From the Heian period onward, folding fans adorned with seasonal flowers, poetry, and scenes from classical literature were used in courtly rituals and artistic gatherings. These miniature canvases carried fragments of nature and narrative, eventually evolving into decorative motifs found in textiles, paintings, and lacquerware.

In the world of maki-e—the art of sprinkling gold and silver powders onto lacquer—the fan motif became a favored design. Scattered across the surface like fleeting moments or poetic whispers, each fan element evokes the beauty of impermanence and seasonal rhythm.

When applied to a jubako, a tiered food container used in celebratory settings, the fan design takes on layered meaning. It transforms the box into more than a vessel for cuisine—it becomes a symbolic object, embodying hospitality, the passage of time, and the cycles of nature.

This elegant fusion of form, function, and philosophy reflects the heart of Japanese lacquer artistry: to preserve not only beauty, but the sentiments and stories carried within.

 • This is a delicate work of art made from natural wood and finished with multiple layers of hand-applied lacquer. Please avoid strong impact, pressure, or dropping, as this may cause cracking or surface damage.

 • Keep out of direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and damp or dry environments. Store in a well-ventilated, shaded area.

 • After use, gently wipe with a soft, damp cloth and immediately follow with a dry cloth.

 • Not suitable for microwave ovens, dishwashers, or dryers.