Page 311 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

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234 Set of utensils for the incense game with the kuyô mon, family crest of the Ho- 1651), the third Tokugawa shogun. The en-
maki-e and black lacquer, gold on sokawa clan, in gold maki-e lacquer. In the tire set is decorated with a pear-skin
wood; silver containers are stored 360 shells, each one ground (nashiji), a gold and silver maki-e
box 20.5 x 24.3 x 18.8 (SVio x 99/16 x half of a pair with matching designs drawn clove floral scroll, and the three-leaved hol-
73/8) from The Tale of Genji, or with floral and lyhock mon. The edges of the trays are
Edo period, i8th century bird decoration. To play the game, the rimmed with silver, and the interiors of the
shells are mixed up and participants must bowls are finished with red lacquer. SN
Eisei Bunko, Tokyo
find the two shell halves with the same
Like cat. 233, this set of incense utensils picture. Because the two perfectly
has been handed down in the Hosokawa matched halves symbolize fidelity, the
family and the wife of Shigekata (1720- shell matching set was regarded as one of
1785), a mid-Edo Hosokawa daimyo of Ku- the most important items in a daimyo
mamoto, is said to have used it. The bridal trousseau. SN
decoration consists of such plants and
flowers as bush clover, chrysanthemum, 236 Set of trays and tablewares
peony, camelia, iris, and bamboo arranged maki-e and red lacquer and silver on
in circular motifs in slightly raised gold wood
takamaki-e (relief maki-e) lacquer. The (left) 22.6 x 39.4 x 41.2 (87/8 x 15^2 x
metal implements are made of silver. SN
1
(center) 21.0 x 37.3 x 38.4 (S /* x 145/8 x
235 Shell matching game 151/8)
x
l
shell containers 49.5 x 40.0 (19 /z x (right) 19.5 x 35.3 x 36.4 (7 /i6 x 137/8 x
153/4) 143/8)
maki-e and black lacquer on wood; Edo period, ryth century
color on shell Rinnôji, Tochigi Prefecture
Edo period, i8th-i9th century
Eisei Bunko, Tokyo This ensemble, comprising large, medium,
and small kakeban (tablelike trays for spe-
The octagonal, black-lacquered containers cial occasions), lidded bowls, a hot water
for this shell matching game are decorated ewer, and a rice container, is said to have
been used by Tokugawa lemitsu (1604-

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