This vintage Wajima-nuri (輪島塗) kōgō (香合) is a fine example of Japan's most celebrated lacquerware tradition. Characterized by its understated beauty, the box features a glossy black exterior contrasted by a rich vermilion interior, a timeless colour combination long associated with formal tea ceremony utensils and refined Japanese aesthetics.
Handcrafted using the renowned Wajima lacquerware techniques from Ishikawa Prefecture, this small lidded box was originally intended to hold incense during the tea ceremony, though today it can also be appreciated as a decorative object or used to store small treasured items. Wajima-nuri is admired for its exceptional durability, achieved through numerous layers of natural urushi lacquer applied over a carefully prepared wooden base, creating a finish that is both resilient and beautifully lustrous.
A beautiful vintage example for collectors of Japanese lacquerware, tea ceremony utensils, and traditional crafts, this Wajima-nuri kōgō combines refined simplicity with the enduring elegance of one of Japan's finest lacquer traditions. Its signs of age and restoration make it a unique piece that tells its own story while remaining fully functional and decorative.
