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

This listing is for a Kishu-nuri lacquer vase made around 30 years ago by Yamaga Lacquerware.  It is made of synthetic resin coated in lacquer, and is decorated with a Heian period procession of pilgrims along the Kumano Kodo trail.  This piece is part of their ‘Kumano Kodo Series’ featuring Kishu World Heritage Sites.  The scene includes female court officials and possibly a cloistered emperor on horseback making their way up the steep trail heading to Koya-san.  Koya-san is a large temple settlement located on the Kii Peninisula in Wakayama Prefecture.  It was first settled by the monk Kukai, and is considered to be the heart of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.  The vase comes with a plastic insert on the interior, as well as two display boards.  It also comes with its original paper storage box, as well as a Japanese profile paper about Kishu lacquerware. 

Kishu-nuri refers to lacquerware produced in Wakayama.  Traditionally all Kishu lacquerware was made of wood but these days they are also made of plastic.  Wood items are made of cypress, camphor and horse chestnut, and plastic products are made of synthetic resin. Wood was used for all Kishu-nuri items until the 1950s, but due to increasing costs for wood, a change to plastic took place. The wooden items are hand-carved while the plastic items now are pressed in factories.  The steps for making wood and resin items are the same, just the base material is different.  The first step is to first to create the basic item made of wood or plastic, the second involves adding the first layer of lacquer over the base. The third step involves painting of several layers of lacquer coating, and finally the pieces are decorated.  Kishu items are generally decorated with makie, gold and silver foil, and inlays of sea shells and very small pieces of pearl. 

Sizes

Paper Box:  H.7.8cm (3”) x 27.7cm (10.9”) x 10.9cm (4.2”)

Vase:  H.25cm (9.8”) x 6.5cm (2.5”) x 6.5cm (2.5”)

Insert:  L.14cm (5.5”) x Dia.5.8cm (2.2”)

Display Boards:  H.0.9cm (0.3”) x 23.5cm (9.2”) x 7cm (2.7”)

Condition

There are marks on the back as well as some light scratches.  The display boards have some scuffing.

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

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

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.