UKAI YASUJI (BORN 1897)An Inlaid WoodRyoshibako (Document Box) and CoverTaisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, 20th centuryThe exterior of the cover and sides of the box inset withshibuichi panels, carved inkatakiribori (engraving with an angled chisel emulating brushstrokes) and applied in flat relief inlay of silver and gilt with a bee hovering over large palm leaves, the design continuing over the sides, the interior of plain wood,unsigned; with a woodtomobako storage box, inscribed and titledSotetsumon tebako (Box with sago-palm design) with seal, the inside of the lid signedUkai Yasuji with sealUkai Yasuji.9.1cm x 33.4cm x 26cm (3½in x 13 1/8in x 10¼in). (3).Provenance: Another work by the artist is in the collection of The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts: accession no.2827, see /geidai/det.html?data_id=8536There is scant information on this artist apart from the fact that he graduated from Tokyo Fine Arts School and regularly exhibited in the Teiten, Bunten, and Nitten exhibitions from 1927 to 1947.