Vintage Japanese Katana Kake Lacquer Sword Stand with Raden Shell Inlay, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-557

Vintage Japanese Katana Kake Lacquer Sword Stand with Raden Shell Inlay, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-557

A spectacular black lacquer katana kake with raden shell inlay -- handcrafted for displaying Japanese swords with elegance and reverence.

A katana kake is a traditional Japanese sword display stand designed to hold one or more swords horizontally, presenting them as objects of beauty and cultural significance rather than mere weapons. This vintage example is constructed from wood finished in a deep, high-gloss black lacquer and features two upright supports, each fitted with multiple notched resting arms to accommodate swords at different tiers. The uprights and base feet are accented throughout with small starburst and diamond-shaped shell inlay motifs, lending the stand a jewel-like quality even in its structural details. Pieces of this style were produced during the early postwar Showa period, when skilled Japanese lacquerware craftsmen directed their artistry toward decorative and export-quality objects -- making this a fine example of vintage Japanese craft from a remarkably productive era of decorative production.

The true centerpiece of this katana kake is its raden decoration -- a technique in which iridescent shell fragments and cut shell pieces are inlaid into lacquer to create luminous pictorial scenes. The front panel showcases an expansive landscape composition: a windswept pine tree rendered in mosaic shell fragments, two robed figures standing in an open field, and a scattering of birds in flight above a misty ground line suggested by fine shell strokes. The reverse panel offers a quieter scene of flowering branches with a small butterfly, while floral sprigs in shell grace the interior trough. This extraordinary visual richness makes the stand a compelling living room accent or study display piece in its own right -- no swords required. It would draw admiring attention displayed on a bookshelf or console table in a Japandi-style interior, and would make a distinctive housewarming gift or unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage decorative arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Wood with high-gloss black lacquer finish and raden (shell inlay) decoration
• Use: Horizontal display stand for one or two Japanese swords (katana and/or wakizashi)
• Modern Use: Living room or study display accent; decorative shelf piece in a Japandi or minimalist decor setting; collector's display stand for scrolls, fans, or ceremonial objects
• Features: Two sculpted upright supports with multiple notched resting arms; deep-curved lacquered back panel; raden inlay landscape scene (pine tree, robed figures, birds in flight) on front; floral and butterfly raden motifs on reverse; diamond and starburst shell accents on uprights, base, and feet throughout
• Dimensions: 18 1/2"W x 7"D x 16 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent -- minor lacquer wear at joints consistent with age; raden inlay intact and vivid

A luminous piece of Japanese vintage decorative art -- where the ancient craft of raden lacquerwork transforms a functional sword stand into a collector's statement for any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.