{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-kai-awase-shell-pair-69566","title":"Vintage Japanese Kai-Awase Shell Pair Decorative Object","description":"\u003cp\u003eA vintage Japanese kai-awase shell pair featuring beautifully painted scenes inspired by the elegant court culture of the Heian period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKai-awase is a traditional Japanese shell-matching game in which pairs of clam shells were decorated with corresponding imagery. Historically associated with aristocratic culture, these shells later became treasured decorative and ceremonial objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pair opens to reveal richly colored scenes of figures in classical Japanese court dress, while the exterior retains the natural white surface and texture of the shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original storage box is labeled “Heian Bungaku Kai-awase” (平安文学 貝あわせ), meaning “Heian Literature Kai-awase.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its historical reference, the piece has a striking presence as a small Japanese art object — beautiful displayed either closed as a natural shell form or opened to reveal the painted interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDIMENSIONS\u003cbr\u003e\nApprox. 9 cm \/ 3.54 in wide\u003cbr\u003e\nApprox. 3.5 cm \/ 1.38 in high when closed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCONDITION\u003cbr\u003e\nGood vintage condition with some minor staining and signs of age.\u003cbr\u003e\nPlease refer to the photographs for details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes the original storage box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA distinctive vintage Japanese object combining natural material, painting, and traditional court culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WabiSabi Kitchen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53966310277427,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/7130\/7827\/files\/Photoroom_20260831_225012.png?v=1788184225","url":"https:\/\/wabisabikitchen.net\/products\/vintage-japanese-kai-awase-shell-pair-69566","provider":"WabiSabi Kitchen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}