Wooden E-awase Picture-Matching Puzzle, 12 Cubes, Six Ukiyo-e Beauties, with Box
Wooden E-awase Picture-Matching Puzzle, 12 Cubes, Six Ukiyo-e Beauties, with Box
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked Check the Shipping Flowchart here
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $22, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.
The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.
With EMS, any charge is collected by your postal service on delivery. For pieces of significant value we can often arrange duties prepaid before dispatch.
How the estimate is reached · Ask for a figure on this piece
- Character
- Ornate 7.5 of 10 ·
- Replies
- Within one Tokyo business day · Ask the curator team
- Guarantee
- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
Every piece is measured by hand, in centimetres as Japan measures. Please allow 1–2 cm (about ½ inch) for the give of the material and the hand that held the tape.
Where each figure is taken · View the plate
Object, sculpture and ceramics
Couldn't load pickup availability
All sales are final. Please read our refund policy before purchase.
Considered offers only. The Desk replies personally to figures made in good faith; those set far below the asking price receive no reply.
Examined in Tokyo, one price, insured to your door. How buying from Japonista works · Join the Circle, free
Twelve wooden cubes form six ukiyo-e pictures of beauties in kimono at everyday pastimes, kept in a small blue box whose lid holds the sixth scene.
The Piece
E-awase is picture matching. Twelve cubes, about 2.9 cm (1.1 in) on a side, carry papers in the manner of nishiki-e (brocade prints). Set together they complete six designs: writing with a child in red; flowers in a blue vase and Mount Fuji in the window; tea at a brazier; music for koto and shamisen; an interior gathering; and a family group with a child on the lid.
Five paper key sheets give five pictures; the sixth is on the lid. The box is about 13 x 10 x 3 cm (5.1 x 3.9 x 1.2 in), wrapped in deep blue paper with a gold scatter, club-patterned corners and a rose-pink lid lining.
Details
- Maker: Unattributed
- Type: E-awase (picture-matching) wooden cube puzzle
- Pictures: Six ukiyo-e scenes of beauties (bijin) at everyday pastimes
- Keys: Five paper key sheets; the sixth design is on the box lid
- Box: Deep blue wrap with a gold scatter, club-patterned corners, rose-pink lining
- Measurements: box about 13 x 10 x 3 cm (5.1 x 3.9 x 1.2 in); each cube about 2.9 cm (1.1 in). Every measurement is taken by hand, with the piece laid flat and the tape read by eye, so please allow a gentle margin of about 1–3 cm (0.5–1 in) for the natural give of fabric, handwork and the human hand.
Condition
The lid paper is rubbed, toward the left, with losses in the print. The blue wrap is worn at the edges and the corners are frayed. Some papers on the cubes have lifted at the joins; the key sheets show faded backs, stains and worn edges.
Condition grade C (used, with wear) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.
Authenticity & Care
Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Keep the papers dry and out of direct sun, and store the set in its box.
Delivery from Japan
Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything you wish to know before you buy, and see our published policy.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Continue browsing in Japanese Arts, Vintage and Antiques and Retro, Vintage and Modern Toys.
Japanese Arts
Looking for e-awase puzzles or other Japanese toys and printed pictures? Begin a Hunting Salon™ request →
Collectors also search: wooden e-awase picture-matching puzzle · ukiyo-e bijin cube puzzle · Japanese wooden picture cubes · twelve-cube nishiki-e puzzle
Chosen for you