【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 elegant lacquer box was created in 2011 (Heisei 23) by Nakazato Toshikatsu (中里 壽克) (b. 1936), known by his art name Ju (壽). A student of the Living National Treasure Matsuda Gonroku, he became Professor of Cultural Property Studies at Tsurumi University and played a central role in the conservation of Japan’s most important lacquer treasures, including the Konjikidō at Chūson-ji, the treasures of Hōryū-ji, and the Shōsō-in collection. He is recognised as one of the foremost authorities in lacquer restoration and a highly accomplished artist in his own right. The lid is decorated with maki-e and raden (Mother-of-Pearl Inlay) depicting watermelons and trailing vines, symbols of vitality and abundance. Maki-e is a traditional Japanese decorative technique in which gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to form intricate designs, while raden uses inlaid pieces of shell to create luminous patterns. The corners are reinforced with openwork brass fittings of peony arabesques, while the sides shimmer with nashiji ground. Nashiji is a technique where fine gold flakes are scattered in lacquer to produce a pear-skin-like texture. The box exterior is finished in a striking emerald-green lacquer ground, further decorated with maki-e grasses and wave motifs, while the lid interior reveals butterflies rendered in sprinkled gold. The inside is lined with a deep green suede-like fabric, softly padded to protect its contents. This work demonstrates the refined sensibility of Nakazato, who has been widely respected by fellow artists such as the sculptor Yabuuchi Satoshi for his exceptional skill and authority in the field of Japanese lacquer. The box comes in its original signed wooden storage box. Good used condition with minor blemishes, including some flaking of gold leaf and shell inlay, as well as rust on the metal fittings. Please check the photos for details. Dimensions: approx. H 9.5 cm W 26.5 cm D 24.7 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!