From 1573, a succession o dictators imposed peace on Japan.. They built grand palaces, partly as fortresses and partly as symbols of their power. These palaces were decorated by large screens decorated with gold leaf and colourful paintings..

The inro was originally a box to hold a seal. It was later divided into two compartments to hold ink as well. Around the early 17th century, they were divided again into as many as five or six compartments and were used to contain medicines and ointments. Inro were made in a wide variety of materials, including lacquer, ivory, wood, bone, porcelain and metal.

Although cloisonné is known to have been made in Japan in about 1600, the art was lost by the 19th century. In 1850, Kaji Tsunekichi determined to rediscover the technique by breaking apart and analysing a piece of Chinese cloisonné. He produced his first saleable pieces in 1838.

Partly because the frequency of earthquakes precluded the use heavy construction methods, traditional Japanese buildings, and the furniture in them, are light. The Japanese sat and slept on the floor and, so, had no chairs or beds in the Western style.

They used low tables for writing and most often stored their goods on open shelves or, in the case of kimonos, towels and swords, on racks. Unlike the Chinese who always made symmetrical shelves and placed furniture in pairs, Japanese shelves are usually asymmetric and items are admired for their uniqueness.

The one common piece of Japanese furniture is the tansu - a cabinet for designed for a man’s wardrobe. It usually includes a large space for robes, four large drawers for other items of clothing, such as sashes, and small drawers for accessories like inro (pouches) and netsuke.

The same style of furniture and furnishing was used at all levels of Japanese society; the difference being in the quality of materials (timber of lacquer) used and the workmanship.

During the Yayoi period, from the third century BC to the third century AD, Japanese potters were using the potter’s wheel to produce a range of objects, including vases and bottles. Many of these objects display horizontal zoning or geometric patters but they were not yet glazed.

During the Chinese Tang dynasty (from 618 to 906 AD), Japan maintained friendly relations with China whose achievements Japan much admired. As a result, Japan attempted to emulate China in many ways. One of these was the adoption of Buddhism; another was the creation of a national capital at Nara modelled on the Chinese capital of Xian; and another was importation and copying of Chinese artefacts.

Early Period (to 897 AD)

Fujiwara Period ((897 - 1195 AD)