MEIJI PERIOD

Details

A pair of roiro-nuri square urushi boxes and covers
Meiji Period
The square ribbed sides with shamfered corners set with four splayed feet, the neck of the flat cover continuing the shape of the sides, the feet and cover applied with gilt metal plaques engraved with kanagu, green cords, minor damage
32.8 cm. high, original wood boxes (2)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Urushi lacquered containers are available in various shapes and were used to store shells of kai-awase (shell matching game). A popular game in Japan from the Heian era (794-1185) to the end of the Edo period (1868). The shells were of a species of clam called Hamaguri which had the unique characteristic that none other than the original pair would match together. 360 shell-halves would be divided between two groups of players. Each side would put forth one shell and when the opposing player would find a shell to match his, he won that shell.

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