Kazuyuki Yoshikawa

Rankaku Maki-e Eggshell Decorative Box

卵殻蒔絵飾り箱

A decorative box built around the crackle of eggshell and a vivid white. Across its black lacquer surfaces, glints of gold and abalone shell peek through here and there. The interior is divided into three compartments.

The gold is genuine gold powder, layered over the lacquer together with abalone shell (aogai) and quail eggshell. Because lacquer has no white pigment, white is expressed through eggshell. Built up by repeatedly layering and polishing the lacquer — the togidashi maki-e technique — it is finished over 20 to 30 separate steps.

The wooden core is ginkgo wood, reinforced with a layer of hemp cloth. Genuine urushi lacquer is used throughout, from the ground layers onward. It measures 20 cm deep, 15 cm wide and 11.8 cm high. Half a year is needed to bring it to completion.

Material & Specifications

MaterialGinkgo woodUsed for the wooden base of the box.Urushi lacquer (natural urushi)A natural coating made from the sap of the lacquer tree. Genuine urushi is used throughout, from the base coats onward.Genuine gold powderGold powder used in maki-e. It is sprinkled over a design drawn in lacquer to bring out the golden pattern.Eggshell (quail)Quail eggshell. It provides a white that urushi lacquer cannot produce, and the fine cracks in the shell create a delicate texture.Aogai (abalone shell)Lends the luster of shell to maki-e designs.

Dimensions20 x 15 x 11.8cm · 594g

Made InJapan

SKURMKB

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Care Instructions

Gently wipe away fingerprints and other marks with a soft cloth. Store away from ultraviolet light.