Document box with cover

Shibata Zeshin, who made this box, was on of the most important artists of the Meiji period. He was both a lacquer maker and a painter of distinction, creating works of great ingenuity and charm.

This example of his work features a mask used in the ancient bugaku court dance. The mask is modeled in high relief in red lacquer. The box's design is finished with a flute and a scattering of colorful autumn leaves. The interior is simply finished in sprinkled gold dust on dark brown.