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Nanban Voyage (南蛮航海) Credenza
Nanban Voyage (南蛮航海) Credenza
The Nanban Voyage Credenza reimagines Japan’s earliest encounters with the West through the artistry of urushi and gold leaf. Inspired by 16th-century Nanban Byōbu screens, this handcrafted cabinet embodies the spirit of exchange, where cultures met, and beauty endured.
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What Is the Nanban Voyage Credenza?
The Nanban Voyage Credenza is a contemporary homage to Japan’s Age of Discovery. Designed by architect Michio Fujinami, it draws from the Nanban Byōbu tradition, the golden screens that once depicted Portuguese traders arriving on ornate ships. Each panel is layered in deep urushi lacquer and hand-applied gold leaf, illuminating scenes of maritime exchange and cultural curiosity.
Every line and form is meticulously finished to a mirror sheen, uniting historical depth with modern refinement. A statement of art and architecture, this credenza transforms classical narrative into timeless interior poetry.
- Design Origin: Vision by Japanese architect Michio Fujinami
- Product: 1 × Credenza, made to order
Low stock: 5 left
Why You'll Love It
Why You'll Love It
Cultural Storytelling in Design
- Inspired by 16th-century Nanban art, a symbol of curiosity and cross-cultural connection.
Architectural Precision
- Designed by Michio Fujinami, blending traditional lacquer mastery with modern composition.
Luminous Gold Detailing
- Hand-applied kinpaku gold leaf enriches the panels with warmth and movement.
Functional Art
- A striking centerpiece that pairs heritage craftsmanship with enduring usability.
The Story Behind the Design
The Story Behind the Design
- The Nanban Voyage Credenza draws inspiration from Japan’s Nanban Byōbu (南蛮屏風) — gold-leaf folding screens painted during the 16th–17th centuries to depict the arrival of Portuguese traders, ships, and missionaries.
- These scenes captured Japan’s first encounters with the outside world, a moment of wonder, exchange, and artistic evolution.
- Designed by Michio Fujinami, this piece translates those historic screens into three-dimensional form, layering urushi lacquer and gold to evoke movement and light.
- The deep black lacquer symbolizes Japan’s own introspection during that transformative age, while the golden ships and clouds represent openness and curiosity.
- Each credenza becomes a dialogue between tradition and progress, a vessel of cultural memory reinterpreted for the modern home.
Materials
Materials
- Hardwood base
- Natural urushi (漆) lacquer finish
- Gold-leaf maki-e (蒔絵) motif
- Authentic Japanese kanagu (金具)
Specifications
Specifications
- Width: 180cm / 70.9in
- Depth: 55cm / 21.7in
- Height: 90cm / 35.4in
- Weight: ~40kg / 88pounds
- Color: Gloss black
- Finish: Multiple hand-lacquered urushi layers
Product Care
Product Care
- Dust Gently: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to remove dust. Avoid abrasive materials that could scratch the lacquer surface.
- Keep Dry: While the urushi lacquer provides some resistance to moisture, avoid exposing the credenza to excessive water. Wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth.
- Mild Cleaning Only: For light cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth followed by a dry microfiber cloth to avoid streaking. Do not use harsh chemicals, solvents, or abrasive cleaners.
Shipping
Shipping
- Production takes 3–4 months, with each table handcrafted to order with meticulous care.
- Shipping is included and requires 2–3 months via insured international delivery, depending on destination.
Each piece is carefully packed and shipped with trusted logistics partners to ensure it arrives in pristine condition — a crafted legacy to be treasured.
Made-to-Order Commitment
Made-to-Order Commitment
Each urushiome piece is handcrafted exclusively for you. Once your order is placed, our artisans begin the meticulous process of creation. We’ll provide regular updates so you can follow its journey — from first layer to final inspection.
Please note: Because each piece is made to order, we do not accept returns, refunds, or exchanges. However, if you encounter any issues upon delivery, we will do our best to assist you.

Guided by Vision, Rooted in Craft
Architectural Elegance
漆重 (urushiome) is shaped by the vision of Michio Fujinami (藤波美知男)—a renowned Japanese architect whose works span over 150 projects across Asia. With deep reverence for Japanese aesthetics, he brings a design philosophy that fuses architectural discipline with timeless beauty, guiding each urushiome creation with clarity and intention.
More Than Furniture. A Legacy.
Why urushiome
urushiome creates functional art rooted in Japan’s lacquer tradition. Every tray, table, and sculpture carries the quiet soul of urushi and Japanese heritage—designed to bring presence, depth, and refinement into everyday life. Each piece is built to age gracefully, inviting you to live with something meaningful.
Heritage, Reimagined
Crafted Tradition
Our designs draw from centuries of urushi lacquerware and classical forms, then reinterpreted with contemporary lines and quiet elegance. urushiome’s signature aesthetic reflects restraint, harmony, and the Japanese ideal of shibui—subtle beauty that reveals itself over time.
The Art of Urushi
Natural Lacquer
Each piece is coated with genuine urushi (漆)—Japan’s oldest artistic material. Sustainably harvested, layered by hand, and polished to a luminous depth, urushi is more than a finish: it is a living surface that glows with age, use, and presence.
Handcrafted. Layer by Layer.
Artisanal Process
Every urushiome piece is shaped through meticulous, hand-layered craftsmanship. Dozens of urushi layers are applied, cured, and polished by artisans, revealing a depth and luster impossible to replicate. These are future heirlooms, created with care and soul.
Cultural Finishes, Timeless Details
Signature Embellishments
Our pieces are adorned with finishing touches drawn from Japanese cultural traditions—gold-leaf momiji, maki-e (蒔絵) designs, and Yūzen (友禅) inlays. Each element is placed with precision, telling a story through subtle contrast and visual harmony.