Matsuki Bunkio - Bamboo Suitcases Flyer Previously unknown item
[Japan] Matsuki Bunkio [Bunkyo] (1867-1940) moved to the US (Salem, MA) in 1888 as a young man with the help of Edward Sylvester Morse and went to high school there. He worked for department store Almy, Bigelow & Washburn in Salem, purchasing Japanese items in Japan for the store. Matsuki was well-connected and knew both Ernest Fenellosa and Arthur Wesley Dow. He opened his own store in Boston in 1894 and married Martha P. Meacom (1873-1916) of Salem. His business was successful and he imported a range of items from Japan to sell in the US. This is the first reference to bamboo suitcases made and sold by Matsuki that we have found. According to the flyer, they were, 'light, strong and durable, dust-proof, beautiful, inexpensive.' Presumably, Matsuki had the cases made in Japan and shipped to the US for sale. Perhaps there are some surviving examples of these suitcases tucked away somewhere.
[Boston]. Matsuki Bunkio. ND (c1900).
Single, folded sheet. 16 x 8.1cm when folded.
In very good condition with only very minor age wear. e36091692
