Japanese Wooden Plum Blossom Ornaments, 1920s, Set of 9

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Elegant set of 9 Japanese wooden ornaments, each featuring the stylized Umebachi-mon (梅鉢紋) – a kamon (family crest) in the … Read more Elegant set of 9 Japanese wooden ornaments, each featuring the stylized Umebachi-mon (梅鉢紋) – a kamon (family crest) in the form of a plum blossom.

Dimensions per piece: height 3.5 cm, diameter 15 cm.

The Umebachi-mon originated in the Heian period, when statesman and poet Sugawara no Michizane became associated with the plum blossom, which he deeply admired. The motif later became the crest of Tenmangū shrines and was also famously used by the powerful Maeda clan, daimyō of Kaga – one of the most influential families in Japanese history.

Expertly crafted in wood, the ornaments combine refined simplicity with rich symbolism. Originally, such pieces served as inserts or decorative panels in sliding doors (fusuma) or transom panels (ranma) in traditional Japanese interiors.

Today, they can be appreciated as wall decoration, sculptural objects, or subtle design accents in a modern home. The warm wood tone and iconic motif bring a distinct yet understated Japanese character to any space.

The set is in excellent condition, with only one ornament showing minor edge damage (visible in the photos). See less