Japanese Compact — Golden Kite and Origami Motif (Showa era, mid-20th century)

This Japanese compact presents a dazzling display of Showa-era artistry. The lid is richly decorated in shimmering gold with motifs of a kite and what appears to be origami-inspired forms, highlighted by touches of vivid enamel in red, blue, and green.

Such designs embodied both festivity and cultural symbolism in postwar Japan. Compacts like this were not only accessories of daily life but also objects of delight — miniature canvases where artisans translated traditional motifs into modern beauty. Holding it is like holding a fragment of mid-20th-century celebration and craftsmanship.

Details

• Era: Showa era, mid-20th century
• Maker / Brand: Unknown (Japanese craft production)
• Technique / Materials: Gilt metal with engraved and enameled decoration
• Motif / Design Accent: Kite and origami-inspired motifs with multicolor enamel accents

Curated by Kayo Setsuda

Je et Nous Annex — Nara, Japan.

A cultural archive of Showa-era Japanese crafts and beauty.