We continue our story about the Japanese Shodana cabinets that are stored in the museum Collection exposition. Today we present to your attention the second part of the video "Japanese Shodana cabinets".

The Sibayama incrustation technique, the main stages of implementing this technique and the peculiarities of making these cabinets are explained in detail in this video. You will acquaint with characteristic aspects of cabinet-type chiffoniers and with their typology that was reconsidered by the craftsmen from Japan in the context of Far Eastern art. Shodana cabinets represent unique interaction of European forms with Japanese techniques and aesthetic ideas, resulting in exquisite and whimsical interior design items.

The décor of Japanese Shodana cabinets includes woodcarvings and lacquer panels inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory and tortoiseshell. Each image of an animal is endowed with a symbolic meaning and with the help of the special language of flowers Hanakotoba*, one can learn the meaning of all the plants found in the Shodana cabinets’ decor. We invite you to find out the content of the messages encrypted by Japanese furniture art masters in our new video.

*Japan has its own language of flowers, which is deeply embedded in the culture and traditions of the country. It is called hanakotoba (花 言葉; は な こ と ば). "Hana" in Japanese means a flower - a symbol of life and love. Hanakotoba is used in the art of ikebana (生 け 花; い け ば な). "Ike or ikeru" - life, "bana or khana" - flowers, literally "fresh flowers".