Decortype › Wood, Inlay & Furniture › Marquetry & Inlay

Hakone yosegi & kumiko

Japan tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: Under $500 (entry level & living craft)

Yosegi-zaiku (寄木細工) (lit., "parquet work") is a type of traditional Japanese marquetry developed in the town of Hakone during the Edo period. Resembling a type of mosaic, yosegi is created through the combination of fine oblong rods of wood chosen for their grain, texture and colour, making an intricate surface pattern which is then sliced into thin layers. It is commonly found on traditional Japanese puzzle boxes and similar decorative items. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Granada Yosegi
Granada Yosegi
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Japanese puzzle box (yosegi) - closed
Japanese puzzle box (yosegi) - closed
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Japanese puzzle box (yosegi) - opened
Japanese puzzle box (yosegi) - opened
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Japanese Yosegi Jewelry Box
Japanese Yosegi Jewelry Box
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Hakone Yosegi Zaiku display - Hakone Checkpoint Exhibition Hall - Hakone no Seki (barrier
Hakone Yosegi Zaiku display - Hakone Checkpoint Exhibition Hall - Hakone no Seki (barrier
Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.