Japanese Maki-e Lacquerware 'Meisho' Landscape Soup Trays, Set of 5

Story

During the Meiji and Taisho eras, Japanese lacquer artists captured the poetic beauty of historic travel routes. Each of these five trays tells a different chapter of a journey, from a traveler crossing a bridge to a boat sailing past Mt. Fuji. They transformed a formal dinner setting into an interactive, visual storytelling experience for esteemed guests.

Maker / Origin

While unsigned, these trays are the product of a highly disciplined lacquer workshop, likely from historic centers like Wajima, known for durable undercoats, or Kyoto, famous for delicate artistic refinement. The artisans spent years mastering the control of bamboo tubes to gently dust metallic powders onto wet sap, working in dust-free cleanrooms to ensure a flawless, glass-like black finish.

Condition & Value

The lacquer retains an excellent, deep lustrous black shine with very crisp gold maki-e decoration. There is minor wear consistent with age along the rims, including a tiny nick visible on one edge, but no major warping, cracking, or lifting of the lacquer layers. Excellent condition for functional lacquerware of this age.