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Identification

Japanese Lacquerware Commemorative Box, Buddhist Church of Stockton Centennial, c. 2006

Photo reference

3 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a beautiful Japanese black lacquerware (urushi-style) presentation box featuring a gold-gilt crest on the lid and a commemorative inscription on the inner tray.

Story

This box was custom-commissioned for the centennial anniversary of the Buddhist Church of Stockton in 2006. Founded in 1906, the church is one of the oldest Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temples in the United States, reflecting the deep roots of the Japanese-American community in California's Central Valley. The box was imported by North American Trading Co., a regional distributor based in West Sacramento.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

Based on the provided description, the box features intact gold-gilt cresting and legible commemorative inscriptions on the inner tray. The primary condition factors that impact value for modern black lacquerware are surface scratching, edge chipping, or dulling of the glossy finish, which should be verified prior to sale.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for modern, mass-produced Japanese lacquerware (often urushi-style resin or plastic) is primarily driven by decorative utility and accessible price points. Items imported by companies like North American Trading Co. typically trade in the $20 to $50 range on platforms like eBay and Etsy. Commemorative items have a narrower buyer pool, usually limited to local historians, congregation members, or niche collectors of Japanese-American religious history, meaning they often require longer listing times to find the right buyer.

Value Drivers

▲ Identified importer (North American Trading Co.) anchors the baseline material value in the $30-$40 tier.

▲ Gold-gilt crest and clean presentation format enhance the item's display appeal.

▲ Niche historical crossover appeal for collectors of California Japanese-American history.

Concerns

▼ Highly specific commemorative inscription narrows the potential buyer pool compared to generic decorative lacquerware.

▼ Unverified surface condition — any significant scuffing or edge chips to the black lacquer would drop the value toward the $15-$20 floor.

Best Venue

List on a broad marketplace like eBay with keywords targeting Stockton local history, Japanese-Americana, and Buddhist collectibles. Price optimistically at $45-$50 with 'Best Offer' enabled to capture niche collectors, or price closer to $25 if a fast sale is preferred.

Upside Potential

If two or more local historians or congregation members bid competitively for this specific centennial piece, the sale price could push slightly above the $50 high-end estimate.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Poshmark· 2026-04-30
    Japanese Black Lacquered Serving Tray With Cranes Sun
    Different form (serving tray) and lacks the specific importer connection.
    $25