Tebako or ornamental accessory box ornamented with a design of flowering yatsude or Japanese aralia (Fatsia Japonica). Of takamaki-e or raised gold, silver and colored lacquers with aogai or inlaid mother-of-pearl against a roiro polished mirror-black ground, the interiors and reverse executed in nashiji gold-flake lacquers. With applied silver mounts. By Nishimura Zofuku (the go or art name adopted by Nishimura Zohiko VII when he surrendered the family title to his nephew, Zohiko VIII). Taisho era, circa 1912 – 1926.

With the tomobako or original storage box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Yatsude Maki-e Tebako or Japanese Aralia (Design) Lacquer Ornamental Accessory Box; and on the reverse of the lid signed: Heian Zofuku Tsukuru or Made by Zofuku of Kyoto, and sealed: Zofuku.

The Zohiko lineage of lacquer artists has worked in Kyoto from 1719 to the present. Nishimura Zofuku was the elder brother of the 6th generation family head and became Zohiko VII on his brother’s death, running the family business until his younger brother’s son came of age in 1910. At that point Zohiko VII gave up the family title in favor of his nephew, who became Zohiko VIII, and Zohiko VII adopted the art name Zofuku to mark his independence.

Against a softly curving form, Zofuku employs superb quality raised lacquers to delicately shade the foliage. Among the most elegant examples of Taisho lacquer art we have seen.