artist : UESHIMA, KOHA age : early 20th century�iTaisho period�j size : H 29.5 x W 24.5 x D 15.5 (cm) size : H 11 1/2" x W 9 3/4" x D 6" (inch) box : Original wooden box w/signature price : 2,030,000 yen (Inside Japan) price : 2,050,000 yen (Outside Japan) equivalent : $18,600 * equivalent : €15,185 * Lacquer ware is also referred to as "japan" in English, because the craft is uniquely Japanese. This ornamental box with a "Kohmori" (thickly lacquered) lid and depth is called "Inro-buta" and was made in the Taisho era (1912-1925 A.D.). It is finished using the "Roiro" technique, whereby very transparent and thick brown lacquer is applied in many layers to achieve a deep black color. Over this finish are cherry, willow, maple and a bamboo fence drawn with the "Makie" technique, using lacquer sprinkled with gold powder. The cherry petals and maple leaves are overlaid using the "Kanagai" technique, in which gold and silver plate are stamped out in their exact shapes and pasted one by one by hand. The black background is perfectly layered and the pattern is a repetition of elaborate details, with the metals' textures in good balance to one another. It is a gorgeous work of art. In mint condition, with absolutely no chips and/or traces of repair. Comes in an original wooden box with the title of the work and the signature of the artist, written by Koha Ueshima himself.   Ueshima Kouha, birth and death dates unknown, is said to have studied under master makie artist Isaburo Yamada and spent his creative days in Shimogamo, Kyoto, around the Taisho era. His works are mostly of traditional configurations. His makie techniques are very fine and delicate, typical of makie artists of Kyoto. Records tell that he received third prize at the Kyoto Lacquer Ware Contest some time around the early to mid 1900s. Judging from the fact that the famous lacquer ware shop Zouhiko of Kyoto made lacquer of the same designs as his, it seems that Ueshima provided his works as models for the shop.