Antique Japanese Lacquer Tachi Sword Stand | Eggshell Crackle Top | Karakusa Vine Pattern | Decorative Arms Display

Antique Japanese Lacquer Tachi Sword Stand

This striking Japanese sword stand was made for the display of a tachi, the long sword traditionally worn edge-down in mounted and ceremonial contexts. The surface presents a confident lacquer program: a dense karakusa vine pattern flowing across the base and upright, contrasted by a distinctive top form finished in a pale eggshell crackle effect—an aesthetic tension between darkness and light, movement and stillness.

Karakusa (arabesque vine) is among the most enduring decorative languages in Japanese craft, associated with continuous growth, longevity, and protective vitality. Here, the motif wraps the stand like living ornament, turning a functional support into an object of rhythmic design. The pale crackle crown at the top reads like a capstone—sculptural, architectural, and intentionally rare against the field of patterned lacquer.

The silhouette is elegant and display-forward: a tall, slightly arched upright with a crossbar for balance, rising from a broad base that anchors the composition. This is decorative arms furniture—an object conceived for the room, not for storage—meant to amplify the presence of a mounted blade and the atmosphere around it.

Condition is described as free from conspicuous damage or heavy soiling. Any minor handling marks should be understood as part of normal life in lacquer objects, and do not diminish the overall visual impact.

For collectors, this piece sits at the crossroads of samurai material culture and lacquer art, offering an immediately recognizable interior statement even before a blade is introduced.

OBJECT DETAILS

Object Type: Tachi sword display stand
Material: Lacquered wood (urushi-style finish)
Decoration: Karakusa vine pattern; eggshell crackle-style top form
Origin: Japan (found in Japan)
Estimated Period: Likely late Edo to Meiji period decorative style (unconfirmed)
Condition: No conspicuous damage or heavy soiling noted

Dimensions (as provided):
Approx. 54 × 27 × 35 cm

CONFIDENCE & VERIFICATION NOTES

Dating and technique are assessed from visible form and lacquer decoration. No maker inscription or documented provenance is provided. This is a specialist-informed assessment rather than verified attribution.

Authenticity & Stewardship

Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:

• Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
• Iconographic and stylistic verification
• Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
• Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation

Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.

A Note on Stewardship and Collecting

At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.

Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.

Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration

Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.

If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.

Concierge Support & Collector Guidance

Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.

For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.

Before Proceeding

We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.

A Closing Note

Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.

If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.