{"product_id":"pair-vintage-japanese-kamakura-bori-wood-wall-plaques-signed-sozan-sino-japanese-antiquity-theme-han-bronze-tile-motif-scholar-estate","title":"Pair Vintage Japanese Kamakura-bori Wood Wall Plaques, Signed Sōzan, Sino-Japanese Antiquity Theme, Han Bronze Tile Motif, Scholar Estate","description":"✦ A Rare Pair of Japanese Kamakura-bori Plaques from a Scholar's Estate ✦\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA fine pair of vintage Japanese Kamakura-bori (鎌倉彫) hand-carved wood wall plaques, signed by the artist Harada Sōzan (原田蒼山). This matched \u003cbr\u003epair illustrates a sophisticated \"Sino-Japanese Antiquity\" theme, reflecting Showa-era Japanese literati appreciation for both Han Dynasty \u003cbr\u003eChinese epigraphic culture (金石学) and native Japanese roof-tile traditions. The plaques present artistic relief interpretations of ancient Chinese bronze and tile artifacts, alongside a traditional \u003cbr\u003eJapanese tile form — a thoughtful cross-cultural composition that elevates this piece beyond ordinary decorative work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ PROVENANCE ✦\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcquired from the estate of a scholarly Pacific Northwest couple — the husband a historian with degrees from a leading East Coast university, the wife a graduate of the University of Paris in \u003cbr\u003eFrench Language and Civilization. The estate included an extensive personal library of Japanese woodblock print (ukiyo-e) reference books, auction catalogues from major houses (including Bonhams \u003cbr\u003eFine Asian Works of Art and Richard Kruml's 1975 Surimono Prints catalogue), and East Asian art studies — indicating the family's serious and sustained engagement with Asian art history. This pair of plaques was preserved alongside that scholarly collection (please see accompanying photos showing the plaques with selected \u003cbr\u003ereference materials from the estate library).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ PANEL ONE: HAN BRONZE \u0026amp; TILE (漢鷺魚洗・漢瓦萬有喜) ✦\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA composition presenting two iconic Han Dynasty artifacts:\u003cbr\u003e- HAN EGRET-AND-FISH WASH VESSEL (漢鷺魚洗): Circular relief depicting a Han Dynasty bronze wash basin (xǐ, 洗) featuring an egret and a fish flanking a central inscription panel. The relief reproduces \u003cbr\u003e  the original vessel's cast inscription \"Yonghe 3rd Year, made one\" (永和三年造作一) — Yonghe being the reign era of Emperor Shun of Eastern Han, dating the original bronze to 138 CE. The egret-and-\u003cbr\u003e  fish motif (鷺魚 lù-yú) carries auspicious phonetic resonance with  路餘 (\"abundance along the path\"), a classical symbol of prosperity. Finished in vermilion lacquer with gilt borders and white-and-blue lacquer details.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \"TEN THOUSAND JOYS\" TILE (漢瓦・萬有喜): A circular Han Dynasty text wǎdāng (roof tile) bearing the auspicious inscription \"Ten Thousand Joys\" (萬有喜) — belonging to the celebrated tradition of Han text tiles bearing fortune-bringing phrases, originally used on imperial and ceremonial architecture. Finished in turquoise lacquer with gilt borders.\u003cbr\u003e- White lacquer inscriptions identify each motif; signed with red lacquer artist seal \"Sōzan\" (蒼山).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ PANEL TWO: HAN \u0026amp; JAPANESE ROOF TILES (漢代瓦) ✦\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA cross-cultural composition presenting four roof-tile (wǎdāng \/ 瓦当) motifs from both Chinese and Japanese tradition, identified by the artist's inscription:\u003cbr\u003e- \"LONG LIVE\" TILE (萬歲): A classic Han Dynasty text wǎdāng bearing the auspicious inscription \"ten thousand years,\" finished in malachite green and gilt — among the most iconic forms of Han imperial palace tiles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- HALF TILE (半瓦): An early-Han spiral cloud-pattern half-disc, representing the transitional form between Warring States half-tiles and the later full-circle wǎdāng.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- WHITE FOX (白狐): A half-disc relief featuring twin white foxes flanking a sacred tree. In Han iconography, the white fox appears alongside the Queen Mother of the West (西王母) as a celestial messenger and auspicious omen, symbolizing peace and cosmic harmony. The artist's inscription on the front identifies this motif as \"白狐.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- TOMOE TILE (巴瓦): A traditional Japanese roof tile featuring the iconic tomoe (巴) comma-spiral motif — used on Japanese temples, shrines, and traditional architecture for centuries. Its inclusion alongside the Chinese tiles is a deliberate cross-cultural juxtaposition, characteristic of Showa-era Japanese antiquarian taste.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- White lacquer inscription with red artist seal \"Sōzan\" (蒼山).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ CRAFTSMANSHIP \u0026amp; DETAILS ✦\u003cbr\u003e- TECHNIQUE: Authentic Kamakura-bori on katsura wood, featuring the signature hand-chiseled textured ground (刀痕 tōkon) characteristic of the tradition — creating a rhythmic, tactile surface that catches light beautifully.\u003cbr\u003e- FINISHES: Hand-applied multi-color lacquer (malachite green, vermilion, turquoise, white) accented with gold-leaf details.  Each color individually applied to specific raised relief areas.\u003cbr\u003e- BORDERS: Carved Greek-key (回紋 \/ leiwen) borders in gilt at top and bottom of each panel, framing the composition in classical Chinese style.\u003cbr\u003e- SIGNATURES: Each plaque is hand-inscribed \"Harada Sōzan saku\" \u003cbr\u003e  (原田蒼山作) on the reverse in black ink; the obverse features a \u003cbr\u003e  white lacquer artist signature with a red lacquer seal.\u003cbr\u003e- HANGING: Original wire hangers attached for ready display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ DIMENSIONS ✦\u003cbr\u003e- Size per plaque: approximately 12.5\" H × 6.5\" W × 0.75\" D (32 × 16.5 × 2 cm)\u003cbr\u003e- Combined weight: approximately 2 lbs 0.5 oz (1 kg)\u003cbr\u003e- Sold as a matched pair\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ CONDITION ✦\u003cbr\u003eExcellent vintage condition with beautiful age-appropriate patina:\u003cbr\u003e- Lacquer work and inscriptions remain crisp and intact\u003cbr\u003e- Minor natural wear to gilt edges (consistent with hand-applied \u003cbr\u003e  gold leaf — adds character)\u003cbr\u003e- One small natural wood knot\/repair visible on the side edge of \u003cbr\u003e  one panel (see photos — does not affect display)\u003cbr\u003e- Light surface marks on the reverse from decades of careful display\u003cbr\u003e- No major chips, cracks, or losses to the carved relief work\u003cbr\u003e- Both wire hangers intact and functional\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis pair was clearly cherished and well-preserved across decades \u003cbr\u003ein the previous owners' scholarly collection.\u003cbr\u003e✦ ABOUT KAMAKURA-BORI (鎌倉彫) ✦\u003cbr\u003eKamakura-bori is an 800-year-old traditional Japanese woodcarving craft, recognized as a Nationally Designated Traditional Craft of Japan. Originating in the Kamakura era (1185–1333) as a domestic alternative to imported Chinese carved lacquerware, the technique involves hand-carving katsura wood and applying multiple layers of urushi lacquer to create depth and richness.\u003cbr\u003eThis pair is notable for its crossover into Chinese epigraphy (金石学) — a scholarly subject that fascinated Japanese literati collectors during the Showa era (1926–1989). The composition's deliberate inclusion of a Japanese tomoe tile alongside the Han Chinese examples reveals the artist's bicultural sophistication, making this a distinctive piece for collectors of both Japanese craft and Chinese antiquity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ SHIPPING \u0026amp; HANDLING ✦\u003cbr\u003e- Carefully double-boxed with bubble wrap and corner protection\u003cbr\u003e- Shipped via USPS Priority Mail with full insurance included\u003cbr\u003e- Tracking number provided upon shipment\u003cbr\u003e- Processing time: 3–5 business days\u003cbr\u003e- International shipping available — please contact for a quote \u003cbr\u003e  before purchase\u003cbr\u003e- Sold as-is from a smoke-free home\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ FROM THE SAME ESTATE ✦\u003cbr\u003eA curated selection of Japanese ukiyo-e reference books and East Asian art studies from this estate will be available separately. Please follow SWCurated for updates on new listings from \"The Scholar's Estate Collection.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e✦ Thank you for visiting SWCurated — where each piece carries its story. ✦","brand":"SW Curated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49026423980284,"sku":"ced_31876248420","price":685.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/6053\/0940\/files\/il_fullxfull.7953396548_qe27.jpg?v=1777317428","url":"https:\/\/swcurated.com\/products\/pair-vintage-japanese-kamakura-bori-wood-wall-plaques-signed-sozan-sino-japanese-antiquity-theme-han-bronze-tile-motif-scholar-estate","provider":"SW Curated","version":"1.0","type":"link"}