Inkipedia
Traditional Japanese Farmhouse
| Categories | Far East / Oriental, Figural - Inanimate |
| Type | Buildings / Structures |
| Material | Bronze finish |
| Markings | See Narrative |
| Manufacturer | Undetermined |
| Origin | Japan |
| Date or Era | circa 1900 |
| Measuring | 4 ½” wide; 4 ½” high |
- Description: A Traditional Japanese Home
- Form: The inkstand is modeled as a traditional Japanese thatched-roof farmhouse, known as a Minka. The texture of the roof is cast to mimic bundles of straw or reed thatch.
- The Scene: The walls feature relief panels depicting daily life.
- Front: You can see sliding doors (Shoji) and a figure, perhaps a scholar or merchant, seated inside looking out.
- Sides: Decorated with relief castings of pine trees and bamboo, symbols of longevity and resilience.
- Technique: The material is a bronze or copper alloy that has been patinated to a dark finish. The gold accents on the roof and the figure are gilt (gold wash) applied to highlight the details. This technique of mixing metals (or finishes) to create contrast was a specialty of Japanese metalworkers.
- Interior: The roof is hinged and lifts to reveal two original glass inkwells set into the metal frame. The interior of the lid is gilded.
- The Markings
- The “Sakura” Mark: The stamp is a Cherry Blossom (Sakura).
- Significance: In the Meiji period, the cherry blossom was frequently used as a border for maker’s marks or simply as a symbol of Japanese quality (“The Spirit of Japan”).
- The Symbol Inside: Inside the blossom is a stylized character or logo. While difficult to read with 100% certainty due to the wear, this specific “Sakura with character” mark is often associated with the Nogawa Company (Nogawa Shippo/Nogawa Shoten) of Kyoto, one of the premier producers of decorative metalwork for export. Even if not Nogawa, it is a registered trademark of a specific Meiji workshop.
- The Scratched Characters: The marks that look like “7 7” or crossed lines are assembly marks.
- Explanation: These are not Kanji characters for reading. In the workshop, the craftsman would scratch a matching number (in this case, likely the number 7) onto both the lid and the base to ensure the correct fitted lid was attached to the correct base after the final finishing process. This is a sign of hand-assembly.
- Age and Origin
- Origin: Japan. Specifically made for export to the West (Europe and America).
- Why Export? Traditional Japanese writing used an inkstone (suzuri) and ink stick, not liquid ink in glass wells. The form of this piece—a double inkwell with glass liners—is purely Western in function, but Japanese in style.
- Age: Meiji Period (1868–1912), likely dating to circa 1895–1910.
- This was the height of the “Japonisme” craze in the West, where items like this were eagerly bought for Victorian desks.
Sold for $132 in November 2025
Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.
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