Plum and Nightingale Folding Screen

This folding screen with a chic black base decorated with plum blossoms in full bloom and a Japanese nightingale perched on one of its branches will add a gorgeous hue to any room.

In Japan, both plum blossoms and Japanese nightingales are a poetic sign of the coming of spring, representing a picturesque combination and good companionship. However, these are not combinations that are actually commonly observed in nature, but only metaphors for good pairings in poetry and paintings.

The combination of red plum blossoms and bright green colored Japanese nightingales (the actual nightingales are gray) is colorful and beautiful. The fine lame in the paint further accentuates the fantastic atmosphere.

The material is made of wood resin and synthetic lacquer, which is durable and resistant to sunlight and water, and does not deteriorate easily.

Originally, folding screens were used as partitions to block the wind and people's eyes, and were an essential part of interior design. Smaller folding screens can be displayed on a shelf and enjoy the beautiful pictures as they are. It can create a Japanese atmosphere, and if you place small items such as decorative items around it, it will make your interior space more impressive.

Fukunishi-Sobe Shoten

Fukunishi Sobe Shoten, a long-established Aizu lacquerware company, was founded in 1919 by Fukunishi Sobe, who branched off from the Fukunishi Ihee Shoten—the main family business that had been operating since the early Edo period (1603–1868 CE) for thirteen generations. 

In addition to traditional lacquering techniques that highlight the soft, lustrous finish characteristic of lacquerware, they continue to pass down unique Aizu decorative methods such as Aizu-e painting, featuring motifs of pine, bamboo, plum, and ceremonial arrows, as well as the use of spinning wheel patterns.

Aizu lacquerware is a traditional craft originating from the Aizu region in western Fukushima. Nestled in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges, the region's humid climate provides ideal conditions for working with lacquer. Aizu lacquerware is known for its auspicious motifs and refined decorative techniques, including Aizu-e, featuring vibrant Japanese floral patterns, and maki-e, which uses gold powder to create intricate designs.

Firmly rooted in over 400 years of tradition, Aizu lacquerware continues to evolve by embracing modern techniques, sharing its timeless beauty with the world today.