Title: Japanese lacquer box set- Houou Zu
Description
Bunko (文庫) is a type of box, also known as Bunko Bako. It has traditionally been used to store books, personal belongings, or valuables. Since ancient times, Japanese people have customarily placed essential items in boxes. Over time, they developed various techniques to beautifully decorate these containers.
The Suzuri Bako (硯箱) is a type of box used to store writing instruments, such as brushes, ink sticks (sumi), and inkstones (suzuri). Some people also used it to keep small items like a knife or a calendar. Suzuri Bako is often made of lacquered wood and decorated using traditional Japanese techniques. Among these, Makie (蒔絵)—a method of sprinkling gold or silver powder onto wet lacquer—is particularly popular.
This beautifully arranged set is not only practical for writing but can also be displayed as a piece of interior decor. Its refined craftsmanship and elegant design bring a sense of luxury and traditional Japanese beauty to any room. It also makes a thoughtful and special gift for anyone interested in Japanese culture or calligraphy.
The theme of this Bunko and Suzuribako is the Houou (鳳凰), the mythical Chinese phoenix. Two phoenixes are depicted facing each other, each with a distinctly different tail feather design. According to legend, the Houou has the front of a kirin (a mythical beast often compared to a unicorn), the back of a deer, and feathers adorned in five colors—black, white, red, blue, and yellow. Its radiant, multicolored appearance and the way other birds follow it in flight earned it the title “King of Birds.”
One of the most distinguishing features of the Houou is its tail feathers, which can vary widely in shape. While the body of the bird generally follows a similar form, the tail is often used to express individual characteristics and artistic style. In fact, it is the unique tail feather design that often defines the identity of each Houou depiction. On this Bunko Bako, the phoenix on the upper left has arabesque-shaped tail feathers, while the one on the lower right features serrated or saw-toothed tail feathers. These contrasting designs highlight the diversity and elegance of traditional Japanese phoenix imagery
The interior of the box features subtle cloud motifs rendered in gold dust, evoking a celestial scene through which the phoenixes appear to soar. This design adds a sense of mystery and fantasy to the overall composition.
Inside the suzuribako (inkstone box) are an inkstone and a bunchin (文鎮, paperweight). The paperweight is also adorned with a phoenix-inspired design, maintaining a consistent aesthetic theme throughout the entire set. This unified expression reflects the refined elegance and harmonious beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
*Please note that the underside of the lid of the suzuribako has turned white due to aging. Kindly refer to the detailed photos for a closer look at this condition.
*Makie……A typical Japanese lacquer art technique developed uniquely in Japan for about 1200 years. Firstly, it needs to draw a picture with lacquer on the surface with a thin brush. Next, sprinkle the gold powder from above to show the pattern before the lacquer hardens. This technique makes a gorgeous and elegant look to works.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
(Bunko)
(Suzuribako)
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Payment method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the checkout. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CHF or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
【Shipping duration】
We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order.
We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.
We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.
*If you like to make sure if EMS shipping is available to your country, please contact us.
【Antique Japanese item and Export process】
After receiving the full payment from you, we will apply for its export permit from the Board of Education to legally export the item to other countries. It normally takes around 2 to 4 weeks to receive this permit. And we would like you to expect at least 1.0 – 1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision.
It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of antique item and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
Would you like see some more Antique items for sale? Please check the link below. We hope you can find your favorite item.
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product-category/antique/
