Japanese Lacquer Box – Fubako With Cranes.

Rectangular traditional Japanese box known as a Fubako (or Fumibako), originally used to store or transport correspondence and documents.

Technical and decorative characteristics:

• Material: Wood coated with black urushi lacquer.

• Decoration: Continuous motif of flying cranes (Senbazuru), extending from the lid down onto the sides of the box. The cranes, symbols of longevity in Japan, are executed in lacquer using the maki-e technique (sprinkled lacquer), with metallic powders in gold, copper, and silver/grey tones.

• Additional elements: The item comes with its original wooden presentation box (Tomobako) and a yellow protective cloth (Ukon-fu).

• The ink calligraphy on the wooden box lid reads:

  – Center: 文箱 (Fubako – Letter box)

  – Upper right: 千羽鶴蒔絵 (Senbazuru Maki-e – Maki-e with a thousand cranes)

Condition:

The object is in excellent overall condition. The lacquered surface is very glossy and shows no chips, cracks, or visible losses in the photographs.

Dimensions:

Length: 28 cm
Width: 22  cm
Height: 6 cm

Period:
20th century (likely Shōwa period, judging from the condition and the stylized motif).