History, labels and marks of Samurai Shokai Trading Co./サムライ商會

Medals of Asia

Founded in 1894 by Japanese businessman Yozo Nomura (1870 - 1965), Samurai Shokai was one of the most famous luxury shops in Japan during the early 20th century. After abandoning his university studies and traveling to America and Europe, Yozo Namura moved back to Yokohama, near Tokyo where he opened a small curio shop selling not only silver but also jades, lacquerware, silks and porcelain. The company quickly grew and, to satisfy his international clientele, Nomura became a pioneer in offering a mail order service. From what started as a small curio shop, Nomura turned this business into one of Japan's leading fine art suppliers. It sold silk, porcelain, lacquerware, jade, cloisonne, damascene and more. It even offered financial support to traditional craftsmen, such as silversmiths and lacquer artists, so they could produce high quality products. Samurai Shokai was closed in 1942. Yozo Nomura died in 1965.

Samurai Shokai (left), on Honcho-dori, Yokohama, c. 1910.
The original shop and the surrounding neighborhood would burn to the ground in the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake.

Samurai Shokai, Yokohama, c. 1920

Medals of Asia · Jul 20, 2021

Let's take a look inside the store of Kurio King.

Outside views.

Medals of Asia

A short passage from Terry’s Japanese Empire, T. Phillip Terry, 1914

Terry’s Japanese Empire, T. Phillip Terry, 1914.jpg

"An old established trustworthy house with one of the finest collections of curios and art objects in Japan. Recognised by antiquarians and art connoisseurs as headquarters for many of the beautiful products for which Japan is celebrated. The showrooms, filled with choice Japanese, Chinese and Korean carved furniture, porcelains, ivories, bronzes, brasses, silver pieces, damascene work, gold lacquer, mother-of-pearl inlays, tea-sets, chests, screens, brocades, silks, diamond, pearl, jade and other jewelry, etc., etc., rank among the city’s most interesting sights. English is spoken in all the departments. Prices are marked in plain figures, and there are no misrepresentations. Purveyors to the Imperial Japanese Household, and to the chief Museums of the world. Wholesale and retail. Manufacturers and exporters. Mail orders a specialty. Recommended."