复古的 Yamanaka Lacquerware “Shosoin Houou” Phoenix 写作与文档盒—抽屉，金色花纹 - Yamanaka Lacquerware(山中漆器) - 日本 - 20世纪

### Vintage Japanese Yamanaka Lacquerware – “Shosoin Houou” Phoenix Writing & Document Box

A highly decorative vintage Japanese **Yamanaka lacquerware storage and writing box**, featuring an elaborate **golden phoenix (Houou)** surrounded by richly detailed floral, bird and classical ornamental motifs.

The original storage box retains labels reading **“SHOSOIN HOUOU / 正倉院鳳凰”** and **“正倉院鳳凰 印章文庫”**, providing valuable information about the original design and intended presentation of the piece.

The combination of the phoenix, luxuriant floral decoration, black ground and gold-colored detailing gives the piece a particularly elegant and ceremonial appearance inspired by the decorative traditions associated with classical Japanese art.

### “Shosoin Houou” – Phoenix Design

At the center of the two upper doors is a striking **gold-colored Houou (Japanese phoenix)** medallion.

The Houou has long been regarded in East Asian culture as an auspicious mythical bird associated with peace, prosperity, virtue and refined courtly culture.

Surrounding the central phoenix is an exceptionally dense decorative composition incorporating flowers, scrolling foliage, birds and geometric bands in black, gold, brown, cream and muted blue tones.

The design evokes the rich ornamental vocabulary associated with Japan's ancient decorative arts and the cultural image of the **Shosoin**, the historic treasure repository in Nara.

Please note that this description refers to the decorative inspiration and the original “Shosoin Houou” labeling; this item itself is **not claimed to be a Shosoin treasure or an official reproduction of a specific Shosoin artifact**.

### Yamanaka Lacquerware – A Tradition of More Than 400 Years

Yamanaka lacquerware, or **Yamanaka Shikki / Yamanaka-nuri**, is produced in the Yamanaka Onsen area of Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Its history stretches back more than four centuries, and Yamanaka became especially renowned for its exceptional woodworking and lathe-turning traditions.

Japanese lacquerware production traditionally involves highly specialized craftspeople responsible for different stages, including preparation of the base, undercoating, coating, finishing and decorative work.

Yamanaka is particularly celebrated as **“Kiji no Yamanaka” – “Yamanaka of the wooden base”**, reflecting the outstanding skills of its woodturning craftsmen. The region is also known for sophisticated decorative techniques, including maki-e-inspired gold decoration.

During the postwar Showa period, Yamanaka also became an important center for **modern lacquerware**, combining traditional Japanese finishing and decorative expertise with newly developed materials and production methods. This allowed Yamanaka craftsmen and manufacturers to create elaborate decorative objects suited to modern Japanese homes while preserving the visual language of traditional lacquerware. ([山中塗（山中漆器）オフィシャルサイト][1])

### Functional and Decorative Interior

The two decorated upper doors open outward to reveal a spacious black interior with multiple divided storage sections.

A large **pull-out drawer** is incorporated into the lower section.

The compartmentalized construction makes the piece suitable for organizing various objects and traditionally it could be associated with writing, calligraphy, seals or stationery.

Today it could also be used as an elegant storage box for:

Japanese calligraphy accessories, writing instruments, seals and stamps, letters and documents, jewelry, watches, accessories, collectibles or other treasured personal objects.

The brilliant red silk-style tassels provide a beautiful contrast against the glossy black body and gold phoenix decoration.

### Estimated Period

**Japan, Showa era – probably circa 1970s–1980s.**

The precise manufacturing year has not been confirmed. The dating is an estimate based on the construction, decorative style, original packaging and the development of Yamanaka modern lacquerware during the postwar Showa period.

### Dimensions & Weight

**Width:** approx. 27 cm
**Depth:** approx. 29 cm
**Height:** approx. 12 cm
**Weight:** approx. 1.6 kg

### Condition

This piece was **stored for many years in its original outer box and appears to have seen little or no practical use**.

The lacquerware box itself remains in very attractive condition considering its age.

There are some minor surface scratches, rubbing, small marks and other traces resulting from prolonged storage and age. Please carefully examine the photographs, including the close-up images.

The **original outer cardboard box is included** and shows noticeable age-related wear, discoloration, staining, rubbing and deterioration.

The condition of the outer box is consistent with long-term vintage storage and contrasts with the well-preserved condition of the lacquerware piece inside.

The red tassels are also present.

As this is a vintage item that has been stored for many years, minor age-related imperfections should be expected. Please consider all photographs an important part of the condition description.

### Collector & Interior Appeal

This is an especially attractive example of **Showa-era Japanese decorative lacquerware**, combining the celebrated Yamanaka lacquerware tradition with an elaborate **Shosoin-inspired phoenix and floral design**.

The surviving original packaging bearing the **“SHOSOIN HOUOU / 正倉院鳳凰”** designation adds further interest and provenance to the object.

Beyond its original function as a writing/document storage box, its architectural cabinet-like construction, symmetrical double doors, lower drawer, brilliant red tassels and richly ornamented phoenix design make it an impressive decorative object in its own right.

It would complement a collection of **Japanese lacquerware, Showa-era decorative arts, Asian antiques, calligraphy objects, Japanese boxes, phoenix motifs, Japandi interiors or traditional Japanese crafts**.

A beautiful combination of practical storage, Japanese decorative symbolism and Showa-era craftsmanship.

## Keywords
**Yamanaka lacquerware, Yamanaka Shikki, Yamanaka Nuri, Japanese lacquerware, vintage Japanese lacquerware, Shosoin Houou, Shosoin Phoenix, Japanese phoenix, Houou, phoenix lacquer box, Japanese writing box, Japanese document box, calligraphy box, Suzuribako, Japanese stationery box, Japanese storage box, Japanese jewelry box, Showa era, Showa vintage, vintage Japan, Japanese decorative arts, Japanese traditional craft, gold decoration, floral lacquerware, bird and flower design, Japanese antique box, Japanese collectible, Japandi decor, Asian decorative art, Ishikawa lacquerware**


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