Small Box with Geometrical Patterns by Kenchi TANAKA

Low-relief lacquer, executed in togidashi technique with aogai inlay (thin mother-ofpearl). The lid bears a pattern of four interlocking squares in black lacquer; the central squares are filled with beige lacquer. The sides have black lacquer stripes on a red ground. All decorative elements sit flush with the surface, likely polished out in togidashi fashion. The interior is covered in beige and black lacquer. Signed: Kenchi saku ("made by Kenchi") Tomobako: inscribed kobako (small box); signed Kenchi, with seal Kensai.

Tanaka Kenchi (田中健智, 1910–1999) was born in Meiji 43 in Awagasaki-cho, Kanazawa, and built a career spanning nearly four decades within the Kanazawa lacquer tradition. He specialized in kanshitsu (dry lacquer) and raden (mother-of-pearl inlay), techniques in which he became known for combining exceptional precision with warmth and expressiveness. Departing from the customary division of labour in Japanese lacquerwork, Tanaka carried out every stage of production himself throughout his career.

He has been recorded receiving numerous exhibition awards from 1927 onward, including honours at the Kanazawa Lacquer Exhibition. A high point came in 1940, when he won the Marquis Maeda Prize at the exhibition commemorating the 2600th anniversary of the Imperial reign; his work was subsequently selected for the Nitten on several occasions. In 1962 he was formally certified as an artist by Ishikawa Prefecture (artist registration number 57).