Important Japanese Lacquer Box Presented by Prime Minister Katō Tomosaburō in 1923
October 2nd 2025
A Taishō period Japanese lacquer box featuring Nashiji lacquer with Political and Military provenance
A Rare Gift from the Taishō Era
This Japanese lacquer presentation box was gifted in 1923 by Prime Minister Katō Tomosaburō. Dating to the Taishō period (1912–1926), it reflects both the political history of the time and the high level of lacquer techniques still being practised in Japan. The box combines Nashiji lacquer decoration with an inscription inside the lid that records its presentation to Captain Lawton of the British Royal Air Force.
This Japanese lacquer presentation box was given in 1923 by Prime Minister Katō Tomosaburō, one of Japan’s most notable naval leaders and statesmen. The box dates to the Taishō period (1912–1926) and carries both historical and cultural significance. Its inscription records the gift being presented to Captain Lawton of the British Royal Air Force, a direct connection between Japan and Britain during the early 20th century.
Katō Tomosaburō (1861–1923)
Katō Tomosaburō was a career officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy, rising to the rank of Marshal Admiral. He served as Japan’s 21st Prime Minister from 1922 until his death in 1923. Katō played a central role at the Washington Naval Conference, where he represented Japan in international negotiations, and his policies shaped Japan’s military and diplomatic path during the Taishō era. His tenure as Prime Minister was brief, but his influence on Japan’s navy and foreign affairs was considerable.
The association of this lacquer presentation box with Katō places it among objects of important provenance that directly reflect Japanese political and military history.
Nashiji Lacquer Decoration
The box is decorated using the traditional Nashiji lacquer technique (梨地), sometimes described as “pear-skin ground.” This method involves sprinkling gold or silver flakes into translucent lacquer to create a shimmering effect. First developed in the Kamakura period, Nashiji became a standard decorative ground in later centuries, often used in high-status presentation pieces
On this example, Nashiji lacquer is applied to the interior and base, while the exterior is covered with dense chrysanthemum motifs on a gold ground. The silver mounts on the lid add further protection to the lacquer, highlighting the importance of the commission.
VIew of the Nashiji Lacquer interior from the IMPORTANT JAPANESE LACQUER PRESENTATION BOX available now in our JAPANESE COLLECTION at JACKSONS ANTIQUE
The Taishō Period
The Taishō period was a time of political change, cultural experimentation, and international exchange. Japan emerged from the Meiji era (1868-1912) with industrial and military strength, and the Taishō years continued this momentum. The government moved toward greater parliamentary democracy, often described as Taishō Democracy, while art and design incorporated both Japanese traditions and Western influences.
Objects such as this Japanese presentation box show how traditional lacquer techniques remained central, even as Japan’s political and cultural identity evolved. The chrysanthemum design recalls both seasonal symbolism and imperial imagery, aligning the piece with national identity at a time of shifting global relations.
The Chrysanthemum Motif
The exterior of the lacquer box is decorated with a ground of blooming chrysanthemums, a flower deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history. Known as kiku (菊), the chrysanthemum is the national flower of Japan and a symbol of longevity, rejuvenation, and imperial authority. The motif was especially significant during the Meiji and Taishō periods (1912-1926), when the Imperial family and state institutions frequently employed it as a mark of power and continuity. Its presence on this presentation box underscores both the high status of the gift and the cultural values it carried at the time.
Provenance and Importance
The inscription inside the lid identifies the recipient, Captain Lawton (British Royal Air Force), and confirms the presentation date: January 1923, the 12th year of Taishō. This was during Katō’s brief period as Prime Minister, making the box a rare surviving piece linked directly to a head of government.
The combination of:
- Important Japanese lacquerwork
- Use of Nashiji decoration
- Use of the Chrysanthemum
- Direct provenance to Prime Minister Katō Tomosaburō
- Dating to the Taishō period (1912–1926)
places this object among some of the most significant Japanese lacquer boxes of the early 20th century to come to the open market.
IMPORTANT JAPANESE LACQUER PRESENTATION BOX available now in our JAPANESE COLLECTION at JACKSONS ANTIQUE
Owner at Jacksons Antique
I am an antique dealer and owner of Jacksons Antique, specialising in fine antiques with a particular focus on Japanese art and European decorative objects. With over a decade of experience in the antiques trade, I source and curate pieces for collectors across the UK, the United States, and the international market.
Working primarily online alongside select exhibitions, I am part of a newer generation of dealers helping to modernise the way antiques are researched, presented, and acquired. My approach is built on careful attribution, transparent descriptions, and historically grounded research so clients can buy with confidence.
Through Jacksons Antique, I aim to make important historic objects accessible to both established collectors and those developing their collections.
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