Vintage Japanese Black Lacquer Bowl with Ho-o Phoenix Motif, Designed by Yamamoto Kansai, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-142-2

Vintage Japanese Black Lacquer Bowl with Ho-o Phoenix Motif, Designed by Yamamoto Kansai, Late Showa (1966-1989) | SKU: 26M-142-2

A striking black urushi-style lacquerware bowl bearing a hand-painted ho-o phoenix motif -- designed by legendary Japanese fashion icon Yamamoto Kansai.

A lacquer bowl, known in Japan as a shikki or nurimono, is a wooden vessel finished with multiple layers of lacquer to create a smooth, water-resistant, and brilliantly glossy surface. This particular piece is a rare collector's find: a shallow, wide-rimmed bowl finished in deep glossy black lacquer and adorned with a vivid hand-painted ho-o (phoenix) rendered in rich orange-red, blue, and gold. The interior also bears a small red artist's seal, lending it the character of a signed work of art rather than a mere utilitarian vessel. The base carries an original label reading "Designed by Yamamoto Kansai" -- a reference to the celebrated Osaka-born fashion designer and cultural personality who was as influential in Japanese arts and lifestyle design as he was in haute couture. This association makes the piece a significant example of vintage Japanese craft crossover design from the Late Showa period.

In a modern home, this bowl is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as a living room accent piece resting on a coffee table or console shelf, where its dramatic black-and-phoenix motif creates an instant focal point in Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic decor. It works equally well as an entryway catch-all for keys and small everyday items, or as a decorative display dish on a dining table or sideboard. Its bold graphic design and designer provenance make it a truly unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese lacquerware with a story behind it.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Wood with glossy black lacquer finish; hand-painted polychrome phoenix decoration
• Use: Decorative serving or display bowl; lacquerware tableware
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent or display dish; entryway catch-all for keys and small items; gift for collectors and Japanophiles
• Features: Deep gloss black lacquer interior and exterior; hand-painted ho-o phoenix motif in orange-red, blue, and gold; red artist's seal visible on interior; original "Designed by Yamamoto Kansai" label on base; smoothly curved low-profile form
• Dimensions: 9" Diameter x 2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A collector-grade piece of vintage Japanese lacquerware -- signed by design legend Yamamoto Kansai and graced with a soaring phoenix -- that brings bold artistry and cultural prestige to 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.