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Another Japanese style Kogie box, presented in Japanese Tsutsumi gift-wrapped style. It is contained in a cedar Tomobako storage case and wrapped in a traditional Furoshiki - a blue brocade fabric.





The fabric wrapping adds more 'suspense' and mystery to what lies inside.





The engraved wooden panel on the top of the Tomobako, written in Japanese Kanji characters, has the title of the contents, the makers name, together with where and when it was made.



Kogei is a uniquely Japanese term that brings together a whole range of western concepts that embrace traditional woodwork, creativity, art, craft, and artistic expression. The word is used to categories items which though they have a function, are intrinsically 'beautiful things' which goes well beyond their utility value.

Silvered Leaves is typically Japanese being an asymmetrical design, in both plan and profile. The outside harlequin style veneering uses book matched burl Elm and Vavona. A black band goes all the way round the box inlayed with silvered filigree leaves taken from a pair of earrings! The edgings are ebony and maple. It sits on a Woodie Pear timber base.





The two halves of the box are locked together with Japanese style fittings. They open to reveal four drawers made of maple with book-matched burl Elm and Vavona veneered fronts.





The fronts are enhanced with black edging and opal and mother of pearl dots. The knobs are black zirconite stud earrings.



One drawer has a lift out tray.



Thank as always for looking.

Gallery

Comments

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very beautiful, gracefully presented. Thanks for sharing
 

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3,089 Posts
I am continually impressed by your work - AWESOME!
 

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370 Posts
Another great box, Martin. The silver leaves are quite unique.
Jim
 

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I scarcely know where to begin, could point out so many things I like about this. The most remarkable, IMO, is the slight angle at which the two sections of the box meet. One has to be looking closely to notice, with only the photos to go by. And then, all the details are just wicked cool to a detailectionist.

I have a similar type of Japanese-design-inspired drawer box on my soon-to-do list. No where near the level you are at, however!!!

Am hoping you could point me to where you get the brass hardware from? I have seen some similar online but am always reluctant to buy anticipating some chinese-made crappola. Only high quality hardware will do for me. I absolutely hate it when small hinges have too much wobble. The silver leaf inlays are very pretty too, gonna be stealing that one from you, but I am sure I can find those myself.
 

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119 Posts
Exceptional work! Browsing your projects is like visiting an art museum.
 

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Awesome work, incredible presentation here, and a wonderful work of art. I wish my Dad was still with me, he would have loved this.
 

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1,617 Posts
Phenomenal work…. it's not even wood working, you've made art. Thanks for sharing
Ps- please consider starting a YouTube channel. I reviewed some of your past projects and would love to see how you do some of this
 

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Beautiful craftsmanship and great presentation. Opened up a surprise, great project.
 

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1,171 Posts
Martin, you're in a league all your own! Thanks for willingly sharing your masterpieces with us.

L/W
 

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Very impressive. The entire project speaks of craftsmanship and creativity. Very well done sir.
 

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With all this great detail, you could add that the flat cord securing the furoshiki is made in the Sanada-himo woven style that dates back to Japan's Warring States period. Sanadahimo is more common on gift items as it is faster to produce and less expensive than the braided Kumihimo cords that are more common on Japanese arms and armor.
 

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Thanks everyone. I enjoy posting my finished projects - probably the best record I have of them. Thanks for the YouTube suggestion JCamp - afraid its not my scene and it would take too long and only distract me from making. I put some construction pictures into my earlier project post, but now I can't be bothered, so just show the finished article. BUT please ask if you want more info on a particular aspect I'll reply to you with a private email. Eeyour - yes you are correct about the Japanese Sanada Himo tape - I mentioned these in my post of Dotti Kogei and I've used it on some other Tomobako and Kiribako 'cases' I've made for other projects. I've one more still to post that uses them as well.

Thanks Brice - have you started manufacturing the Betjemann and Sons mechanisms yet? My Klimt on a box https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/221162 use the idea but doesn't have the auto mechanism - it was beyond me!
 

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Wow, that sure is purdy! I'm liking a lot of the details.
 
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