Ornamental box of rectangular form, the lid curving out elegantly at the top rim. Of black lacquer ornamented on the sides with triangular motifs in colored lacquer, the lid with an inlaid rectangular plaque of carved colored lacquer with geometric designs rendered in stepped relief planes. By Sato Youn (1894 – 1966). Showa 7 or 1932.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Choshitsu Kazari-bako or Carved Lacquer Ornamental Box; and on the reverse of the lid dated in Japanese: 1932, and signed: Youn and sealed: Youn.

Born in Murakami in Niigata Prefecture, Sato Youn moved to Tokyo in his youth to study carved lacquer under Iwasa Hoshu. He began exhibiting at the Noten and in 1926 at the Nihon Kogei Bijutsuten. In March of that year Sato joined the Mukei artist’s association, at the introduction of one of his friends who was already a member, Sugita Kado. From 1927 Sato Youn’s work was accepted for exhibition annually at the Teiten, winning the special prize at the 14th Teiten in 1933. From 1937 he was granted mukansa or non-vetted status at the Shin-Bunten. His work is famous for abstract motifs executed in choshitsu or carved lacquer technique. After the dissolution of the Mukei group, Sato joined the Jitsuzai Kogei Bijutsukai in 1937. After the War he returned to the government sponsored exhibitions with the Nitten.

For a similar lacquer box by this artist, c.f. Modernism and Craftsmen: The 1920’s to The 1930’s, page 58, number 31.