Sato Mokko: Tamatebako Treasure Box in Beige Lacquer

Tamatebako Treasure Box in Beige Lacquer

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 EMS, DHL, or FedEx with delivery fully managed from Japan to your residence and tracked throughout.

A Modern Treasure Adorned with Authentic Urushi Lacquer and Gold Leaf in an Octagonal Form

“Harmony of Tradition and Innovation Dwelling in an Octagonal Universe”

The Tamatebako is a masterwork individually handcrafted with devotion by the accomplished lacquer artisan Keiichiro Sato, and is available in three elegant color options. Based on the octagonal form—long revered in Japan as an auspicious shape said to invite fortune from all directions—this exceptional creation elevates traditional Japanese beauty through a contemporary sensibility.

Three Colors, Each Alive with the Artisan’s Touch

Defining this set are its three distinct expressions: vermilion, black, and beige. Layers of carefully selected authentic urushi lacquer are meticulously applied by hand, creating lacquer’s signature smooth, almost absorbent texture and a deep, elegant sheen. With use, the luster continues to grow richer over time, allowing the owner to enjoy the pleasure of watching the piece mature beautifully with age.

Luxurious Design and Refined Detail

Most striking is the brilliance of the gold leaf applied along the seams and corners of each box. The soft matte texture of lacquer contrasts elegantly with the crisp radiance of gold, giving these small boxes an extraordinary sense of presence and dignity. Their precise craftsmanship transcends utility, radiating the character of fine art.

A Special Presentation for Precious Sentiments

Each work is housed in a custom paulownia wood box bearing the artisan’s seal. Inside, decorative cushions gently protect the boxes, while ornamental cords add a graceful finishing touch. Whether used as an accessory case, an incense container, or presented as a distinguished gift to celebrate a new beginning or longevity, it expresses the highest spirit of hospitality and thoughtfulness.

This Tamatebako, distilled with the essence of Japanese aesthetics, will speak to you each time you hold it—sharing the artisan’s passion and the warmth unique to lacquerware.

Product Details

• Finish: Authentic urushi lacquer, gold leaf accents
• Shape: Octagonal (small size)
• Available Color: Beige
• Included Accessories: Custom paulownia wood box, decorative cushions, ornamental cords
• Artisan: Carefully crafted by Keiichiro Sato

Main Body

• Dimensions: Height 110 mm / Diameter 150 mm
• Weight: 570g (per unit)
• Material: Japanese zelkova wood

Finish

• Wiped urushi lacquer finish (Kiso lacquer)
• Gold leaf (Kanazawa gold leaf)
• Kyoto braided cord (hand-braided using pure silk Karauchi cord)
• Silk cushion (Kyoto pure silk)

Care Instructions

Each piece is individually finished by hand. Please enjoy for years to come the unique warmth of artisan craftsmanship and the striking contrast of contemporary color.

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.