BC. Akitsu-Shima Business Card Case * Nakaya Yakoh maki-e

Nakaya painted the same Akitsu-Shima design on a business card case. Can you imagine a finer manner to stow away your business cards or present them to a customer? We ordered this case!

The Nakaya Akitsu-Shima in Yakoh Maki-e is made on a byakudan-nuri base. Akitsu is the old name for dragonfly, and Shima means Island. 

The Nakaya Akitsu-Shima in Yakoh Maki-e is made on a byakudan-nuri base. Akitsu is the old name for dragonfly, and Shima means Island. On the black urushi a shuai urushi is painted. A very fine silver granulate (keshi-fun) is sprinkled upon the shuai urushi and fixed again with the same shuai urushi. After curing the surface is polished and prepared to do a Yakoh maki-e : dozens of dragonflies are painted in a thick black urushi ! With time the shuai urushi will enlighten and the dragonflies will become more visible.