【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 This is a charming set of seven hand-painted Japanese decorative gourds, each signed by the same artisan or workshop bearing the name Ichikawa. All pieces feature the artist's signature except for one of the black-lacquered gourds, and two are further stamped with a red seal, indicating authorship and workshop authenticity. In Japanese culture, gourds have long been regarded as auspicious objects associated with good fortune, prosperity, and protection from misfortune. Because of their natural shape and durability, they were traditionally used as containers for medicine or sacred items, gradually becoming symbolic charms believed to attract happiness and ward off evil. Four of the larger natural gourds are beautifully illustrated with scenes of Heian-period court poets accompanied by their classical waka poems rendered in elegant calligraphy. Included in the set are two smaller black-lacquered gourds decorated in gold with refined landscape motifs such as pine trees, shrines, and the moon, evoking the aesthetic of traditional Japanese lacquerware. One additional red-finished gourd creatively incorporates the natural form of the fruit to depict a stylised doll figure, giving the piece a playful folk-art character. Several gourds are inscribed with the dates Heisei 1 (1989) and Heisei 2 (1990), marking the beginning of Japan's Heisei era, and offering a subtle historical reference to this transitional period in modern Japanese history. As vintage items, the pieces remain in good overall condition with light wear and minor blemishes consistent with age. Please refer to the photos for details. Dimensions: approx. H 9.5-18.5 cm W 6-9 cm D 6.5-9 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!