Vintage Nishijin compact by ELEGANT TOKYO, circa 1975–1990, with vermilion silk and woven maple leaf patterns.

The Nishijin compact branded with “ELEGANT TOKYO” is not merely a cosmetic case.

It reflects how traditional Nishijin textile motifs were reimagined during the Shōwa era into modern, portable objects of beauty. For Japanese women of the time, such compacts were symbols of refinement—blending the elegance of Kyoto’s craft tradition with the cosmopolitan dream of Tokyo.

Detailsr

  • Era: Showa era, circa 1960s–1970s
  • Maker / Brand: Nishijin (西陣)
  • Type: Promotional / commemorative compact
  • Design: Textile-inspired motif with “ELEGANT TOKYO” inscription
  • Dimensions: approx. 70 mm
  • Condition: Preserved with light wear

Curated by Kayo Setsuda

Je et Nous Annex — Nara, Japan.

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