Sato Mokko: Tsuru-Kame Tamatebako Treasure Box in Red Lacquer

Tsuru-Kame Tamatebako Treasure Box in Red  Lacquer

Delivery: 5 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 handcrafted Japanese lacquer treasure box inspired by the legendary Tamatebako.

Description:
This work is an octagonal lacquerware piece featuring the traditional Japanese auspicious motifs of the crane and the tortoise, symbols of longevity, prosperity, and good fortune.

Its most distinctive feature lies in its original form. The octagonal body, evoking an architectural sense of geometric beauty, is finished in a soft red lacquer that lends an air of refined elegance, allowing it to harmonize effortlessly with contemporary living spaces and exhibition settings alike.

The gold decoration on the lid presents a dynamic crane in powerful flight alongside the dignified figure of the Man’nen-game (“Ten-Thousand-Year Tortoise”), rendered in sculptural relief. Together, these forms symbolize auspicious blessings and favorable fortune. In addition, the red-and-white braided cord adorning the vessel provides a striking accent, expressing both the mystery of the Tamatebako and Japan’s unique cultural tradition of wrapping and protecting cherished objects.

This exceptional piece may be seen as a form of prayer—an object that encapsulates the serene beauty of Japanese traditional craftsmanship together with a timeless spirit of celebration that continues to be cherished across generations.

Product Details

• Color: Red
• Included Accessories: Custom paulownia wood box, Gold leaf (Kanazawa gold leaf), Kyoto braided cord (hand-braided using pure silk Karauchi cord), Decorative silk cushion (Kyoto pure silk)
• Artisan: Carefully crafted by Keiichiro Sato

Main Body

• Dimensions: Height: 200 mm / Width: 380 mm / Depth: 380 mm
• Weight: 2.5 kg
• Material: Japanese Camphor wood

Finish

• Authentic Kiso urushi lacquer

Care InstructionEach 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.