Vintage Japanese Kabazaiku Cherry Bark Lacquerware Set, Tray, Lidded Box, and Metal-Lined Container, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0223

Vintage Japanese Kabazaiku Cherry Bark Lacquerware Set, Tray, Lidded Box, and Metal-Lined Container, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0223

A rare matched set in kaba-zaiku cherry bark lacquerware -- lidded box, metal-lined container, and serving tray, housed in their original wood storage box.

Kabazaiku is a centuries-old Japanese craft tradition in which the silky, spotted bark of the wild cherry tree (yamazakura) is applied over a wood core and sealed with lacquer to create a richly textured surface. This vintage Japanese craft set comprises several coordinated pieces -- a flat rectangular tray with raised rim, a lidded box with a hand-painted floral motif on its lid, and a smaller square container with a metal-lined interior -- all unified by the same deep reddish-brown kabazaiku finish. The distinctive horizontal golden-tan streaks and lenticular pores of the cherry bark are unmistakable across every surface, while the painted blossoms on the lidded box add a delicate artistic accent typical of mid-to-late Showa gift ware. All pieces nest together inside a plain sugi (cedar) storage box, suggesting this set was presented as a formal gift or souvenir, consistent with the kabazaiku tradition of fine regional craftsmanship.

Today this handcrafted Japanese desk and tray set translates beautifully into contemporary interiors. The flat tray works perfectly as a living room accent piece -- corralling remote controls, candles, or small plants on a coffee table -- or as a vanity organizer in the bedroom. The lidded box is an ideal jewelry box, keepsake holder, or ring dish on a dressing table, while the metal-lined container could serve as a small planter liner or a tasteful catch-all for keys and coins in an entryway. Displayed together, the matched set brings a wabi-sabi aesthetic and warm, earthy tones to a Japandi-style home office or shelf. This set makes a unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage lacquerware or for anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese decorative objects.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Wood core with kabazaiku (cherry bark) lacquer veneer exterior; metal-lined interior on container; sugi (cedar) outer storage box
• Use: Desk or display set; likely used for organizing small personal items, as a smoking or incense accessory set, or presented as a formal gift
• Modern Use: Vanity jewelry box and ring dish; living room coffee table tray and organizer; entryway key and catch-all set
• Features: Matched kabazaiku finish across all pieces with characteristic golden-tan bark pore patterning; hand-painted cherry blossom motif on lidded box lid; metal-lined interior with aged patina on smaller container; flat tray with raised rim; all pieces stored in original plain wood outer box
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Good vintage condition; wear consistent with age including minor lacquer rubbing at edges and verdigris patina on metal liner; overall appearance intact and display-ready

A finely crafted example of vintage Japanese kabazaiku lacquerware -- a collectible set that brings the warmth and artistry of traditional Japanese craft into 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.