Samurai Shokai ("shokai" means trading company) was the business of Yozo Nomura (1870 - 1965) that was established in 1894. 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.