Vintage Japanese Kumiko Lattice Partition Panels with Sho-Chiku-Bai Carved Medallions, Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26J-0524-2

Vintage Japanese Kumiko Lattice Partition Panels with Sho-Chiku-Bai Carved Medallions, Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26J-0524-2

A masterwork of early Showa architectural woodcraft -- hand-carved sho-chiku-bai medallions set within fine kumiko lattice and washi paper panels

A tategu is a broad category of traditional Japanese architectural fittings -- doors, screens, and partition panels -- crafted to divide and define interior space with elegance rather than solidity. This rare set of vintage Japanese lattice panels represents that craft at its finest. Each tall panel is built around a framework of finely spaced kumiko (interlocking wood strips) arranged in close vertical and horizontal grids, with a lower register of asanoha (hemp-leaf) geometric latticework lending rhythmic contrast. Behind the lattice, sheets of textured washi paper diffuse light softly, creating the luminous, layered quality that defines the best Japanese vintage architectural woodwork. The warm honey-amber tone of the wood -- a fine-grained hardwood consistent with hinoki or a similar Japanese timber -- has deepened beautifully with age, and the overall patina speaks to careful preservation over nearly a century. A separate horizontal upper panel completes the set, suggesting original installation above or alongside sliding door panels in a formal reception room or zashiki.

What truly elevates this set beyond fine joinery is the trio of large carved relief medallions applied across the panels, each depicting one element of the classical sho-chiku-bai grouping: matsu (pine), take (bamboo), and ume (plum blossom). These three plants, long celebrated in Japanese culture as symbols of resilience, integrity, and renewal, were a favored decorative program for rooms used to receive honored guests. The carving quality is exceptional -- the pine medallion shows layered fan-shaped needles and sweeping branches rendered with remarkable depth; the bamboo leaves are bold and sculptural; and the ume medallion captures gnarled branches, buds, and open blossoms with the confident hand of a skilled craftsman. In a modern home, these panels offer extraordinary versatility: lean them as a freestanding living room accent or Japandi-style room divider; mount individual panels as large-scale architectural wall art; or use them to frame a bedroom headboard wall in a wabi-sabi aesthetic. They also make a truly unforgettable housewarming gift for collectors of Japanese vintage furniture and design.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Fine-grained hardwood (consistent with hinoki or similar Japanese timber); washi paper backing; kumiko and asanoha lattice joinery throughout
• Use: Architectural partition panels -- originally fitted as sliding door panels or interior screens in a traditional Japanese zashiki or reception room
• Modern Use: Freestanding living room divider or Japandi-style screen; large-scale architectural wall art or entryway statement piece; bedroom accent panel or decorative backdrop
• Features: Multiple tall framed panels plus a separate horizontal upper panel; fine kumiko grid latticework throughout; lower asanoha (hemp-leaf) geometric border on each panel; three large circular hand-carved relief medallions depicting sho-chiku-bai motifs (matsu pine, take bamboo, ume plum blossom); washi paper backing diffusing light through the lattice; warm honey-amber patina with age
• Dimensions: 17 1/2"W x 40"H (Vertical), 67 1/2"W x 14 3/4"H (Horizontal)
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and breathtaking example of vintage Japanese architectural woodcraft -- hand-carved sho-chiku-bai panels that bring the timeless beauty of a Showa-era zashiki into any modern interior.

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.