Solid Keyaki Zelkova Buddhist Shrine Cabinet with Phoenix Carvings

Delivery: 7 months

Refund Policy: https://japantastics.jp/policies/refund-policy

All prices include international delivery, duties, and taxes, fully arranged on your behalf.

All orders are shipped internationally via Nippon Express, with delivery fully managed from Japan to your residence and tracked throughout.

A Bespoke Work Where Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship Lives On

Crafted from luxurious solid Keyaki (Japanese zelkova), prized for its striking grain and enduring strength, this one-of-a-kind bespoke zushi butsudan embodies the highest level of traditional Japanese woodworking artistry.

• A Roof Inspired by Tenpyō-Era Elegance
  Gracefully curved and adorned with radiant ornamental metal fittings, the roof evokes the solemn grandeur of ancient Japanese temple architecture. Its commanding presence lends the piece an unmistakable sense of dignity and spiritual refinement.
• Exquisite Carvings of Extraordinary Detail
  Dynamic phoenix carvings animate the transom, while the doors and interior panels feature delicately pierced floral and avian motifs executed with remarkable precision. As light filters through these intricate carvings, the resulting interplay of light and shadow draws the viewer into a serene and contemplative atmosphere.
• Where Tradition Meets Functionality
  The warm glow of the interior lantern illumination enhances the deep reddish-brown luster of the Keyaki wood. From the shrine cabinet itself to the lower base, every proportion has been meticulously calculated to achieve both visual harmony and structural stability—resulting in a piece worthy of being treasured and passed down for generations.

Because each work is created from natural materials, no two are ever alike.
A true heirloom, this exceptional shrine cabinet represents the culmination of master craftsmanship, offering a sacred space of the highest order.

Specifications

Dimensions
Height: 1800 mm
Width: 900 mm
Depth: 700 mm

Weight: 50 kg

Materials
Solid Japanese Keyaki (Zelkova) Wood
Solid Japanese Paulownia Wood

Finish
Wiped Urushi Lacquer Finish
Gold Leaf Accents

Artist’s Profile

Master Artisan of Contemporary Japanese Furniture
Third-Generation Head of Sato Mokko

Born into the distinguished Sato Mokko workshop—founded in 1934 in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture—Keiichiro Sato is the third-generation heir to a lineage long revered for exceptional craftsmanship. Once known locally by the saying, “For bridal furnishings, go to Sato Mokko,” the atelier built its reputation through refined heirloom furniture and traditional architectural woodwork.

From an early age, Sato absorbed the discipline of master craftsmanship under the guidance of his grandfather, Zenjuro. He inherited techniques rooted in shrine and temple architecture, including intricate kumiko latticework, complex structural joinery, and precision cabinetry—foundations that would later define his artistic language.

At seventeen, he encountered a defining turning point when the family business faced severe financial hardship under the second generation. Taking on responsibility at a young age, Sato sustained traditional commissions while simultaneously pursuing an independent vision—one that would unite heritage craftsmanship with contemporary form.

Guided by the belief that true craftsmanship is timeless, Sato established his signature genre of Creative Japanese Furniture: works that combine rare solid Japanese zelkova, authentic urushi lacquer, gold leaf, and centuries-old techniques with a bold contemporary sensibility. His creations transcend conventional furniture, emerging instead as collectible works of functional art that embody the Japanese ideal of beauty through utility.

In recent years, his work has received recognition both in Japan and internationally. Exhibitions include the Paris International Salon (recommended invitation), the Cartago Museum in Costa Rica (presented at the request of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs), exhibitions in Dalian, China, and selection for the Japan–France Contemporary Art World Exhibition for his work TAMATEBAKO. His works have also been presented at The National Art Center, Tokyo, alongside numerous museum exhibitions, solo shows, and publications.

In 2023, a devastating fire destroyed his factory, showroom, tools, and materials accumulated over decades. Yet within only seven months, Sato resumed production—an act that reflects the resilience and uncompromising spirit that define master artisanship.

Today, Keiichiro Sato continues to shape wood in pursuit of works intended to endure not merely for a lifetime, but for generations—objects of substance, beauty, and permanence, created with a view toward the centuries ahead.