Box - Wood , Lacquer - Tsugaru-nuri Karanuri set

◆Item Description
Tsugaru-nuri Karanuri Three-Tiered Jubako Box with Carrying Handle (Sagejubako)

A striking three-tiered lacquered food box (jubako) executed in Tsugaru-nuri, the celebrated lacquerware of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Designated a National Traditional Craft of Japan in 1975, Tsugaru-nuri traces its origins to the late 17th century, when the Tsugaru clan invited lacquer artisans to their domain and established a workshop that would develop one of the most technically demanding lacquer traditions in the country.

The vessel is decorated in Karanuri, the most emblematic of the Tsugaru-nuri patterns. Karanuri is created by applying a speckled ground with a perforated spatula, then building up dozens of layers of coloured urushi lacquer — a process traditionally requiring more than forty applications over roughly two months — before the surface is patiently ground back and polished. The abrasion reveals the buried strata as an irregular mottled pattern of amber, ochre, deep chestnut, vermilion and emerald green, each contour outlined in fine gold-toned lines against a black ground. Because the pattern emerges from the depth of the layers rather than being painted on, no two pieces are ever alike, and the technique is affectionately known in Japan as baka-nuri — "the fool's lacquer" — in tribute to the sheer patience it demands.

The set comprises three stacking cylindrical tiers with a fitted lid, seated on a wide black-lacquered circular base fitted with an arching carrying handle, the grip neatly bound in pale cord. The karanuri decoration wraps the full circumference of every tier and covers the top of the lid, while the rims, base and handle are finished in lustrous plain black urushi. The interiors are lacquered in smooth deep black, a quiet ground that sets off the colours of the food and makes the boxes fully ready for use at the table.

This form — the sagejubako, or portable tiered box — was made to carry beautifully prepared food to the special gatherings that mark each turn of the season, and it remains one of the most convivial objects in the Japanese table tradition. Beyond its original function, the piece stands as a sculptural decorative object, its glassy polished surface catching light in a way that photographs only partly convey.

※Please note: the third photograph is a styling image, showing the three tiers separated and arranged with traditional Japanese New Year osechi cuisine to illustrate how the piece is used. Food, chopstick rests and other tableware are not included — the lot comprises only the lacquer box set shown in the remaining photographs.

【Size】
Diameter: 17 cm
Total Height (including handle): 21 cm
Height of each tier: 4 cm

【Weight】
960 g

【Condition】
In very good overall condition, with a bright, glossy and well-preserved lacquer surface inside and out. Only minor traces of age and handling consistent with normal use; no losses, cracks or restorations noted.

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Shipping & Important Notice

[Shipping]
The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan with tracking via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx, depending on the situation. It normally takes about 3 weeks for delivery.

[Customs, Duties & VAT]
Import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and vary by country.

For EU Buyers: Please note that as of 1 July 2026, the EU has abolished the de minimis customs exemption. All shipments to EU countries are now subject to import duties and VAT regardless of the declared value of the goods. For shipments with a declared value under €150, an additional customs processing fee of €3 may also apply.

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