*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a pair of Kyo-nuri ‘koma’ trays made around 50 years ago by master craftsman, Suzuki Hyosaku II.  They are made of wood and the design consists of thick concentric circles made with three colours of lacquer. A koma is a spinning top, a traditional folk-art toy played with during New Year. Spinning tops are considered auspicious and symbolise things turning from bad to good, and flowing along smoothly.  Both trays are in excellent condition and come with their original signed wooden storage box.

Suzuki Hyosaku II (born Sadatsugu 1905-1991) was the second generation master of the prestigious Suzuki family of lacquerware artists.  The first generation (born Inoue Sutekichi, 1874-1943) pioneered the Kyo-nuri style of lacquerware.  When he was ten years old he was adopted by Suzuki Chouma, a lacquer artist in Kyoto, and took the name Suzuki Hyosaku. He studied under Chouma and began to pursue new possibilities for lacquer coating, creating a new technique called ‘toutai’.  The toutai technique involved applying coloured lacquer and makie powder to acrylic materials.  By this stage Suzuki was regarded as a master craftsman and placed in charge of lacquering sacred treasures at Ise Jingu.  He was also chosen to create special pieces for imperial ceremonies.  The second generation studied under his father and had a long and successful career.  In 1926 his work was selected for the Prince Shotoku Honouring Exhibition, and in 1937 he received the Silver Medal Award at the Paris World Exposition. He produced a wide variety of items such as tea utensils, lacquered boxes, tableware and decorative pieces but is best known for his exquisite makie pieces.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.

Urushi lacquerware refers to products that have been coated in natural lacquer collected from urushi trees. The process for lacquering items is long and very labour intensive, each item requiring multiple layers of lacquer that may take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Heat and humidity are required to dry lacquer evenly and consistently, so Japan’s rainy season and summer months are ideal for this process. Urushi products are not only beautiful but also strong.                                                        

Sizes

Box:  H.6.7cm (2.6”) x 35cm (13.7”) x 35.4cm (13.9”)

Larger Tray:  H.2.6cm (1”) x Dia.32.5cm (12.7”)

Smaller Tray:  H.2.7cm (1”) x Dia.29.5cm (11.6”)                                                                     

Condition

The trays have almost no signs of wear and may be unused.  There are gaps in the bottom of the box, some borer holes, and a rail missing under the lid.                                

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.