Live Auction 12020Aesthetic Intuition: Collecting Japanese Art in Post-War London
A Negoro Tray
Lot 72 Negoro lacquer is instantly recognisable due to the worn red and black lacquer surface, the unique patterns of which have been brought out through use and transfigured by the passage of time. Features such as wear, cracks and traces of the brush used for lacquering, all help to enhance the ineffable, harmonious beauty of the surface of negoro lacquer. It is these qualities that result in negoro lacquer being so appreciated by tea masters and admired by those of refined taste.

A Negoro Tray

Dated Bunmei jugo nen [1483], Muromachi period (late 15th century)

Closed11 November 2015

Price Realised

GBP 27,500

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A Negoro Tray
Dated Bunmei jugo nen [1483], Muromachi period (late 15th century)
Of circular form with an irregular flat top and narrow raised rim, the sides slightly everted and the base recessed, the surface of the tray in red lacquer, worn in places to reveal the black lacquer beneath, the base in black lacquer with an inscription Bunmei jugo nen mitsunoto no u san gatsu sho yoka [8th March, 1483], ganshu Yataro Hogandai [the patron Yataro, an administrative official of the Innocho (Retired-Emperor’s Office)], with lacquered wood box
38cm. diam.

Specialist note

This tray was used for ritual offerings in a Shinto shrine. It was made by whittling the rotated camphor tree and applying cloth around the rim under the lacquer. The scratches on the surface were probably made when the offerings were cut on the tray.

For further examples with similar inscriptions treasured in the Suwa shrine in Miyakonojo city, Miyazaki prefecture, see:
Miho Museum and Kawada Sadamu ed., Shuurushi Negoro Chusei ni saita hana [Negoro: Efflorescence of Medieval Japanese Lacquerware], (Tokyo, 2013), p.64-65, 355
Kawada Sadamu, Negoro Lacquer, (Kyoto, 1985), p.72-73 and p.319

Another example from the same shrine is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Miyazaki prefecture on the official website of Miyakonojo city, go to:
http:/cms.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp/display.php?cont=120919183703