Miniature suzuri-bako (inkstone box)

Miniature suzuri-bako (inkstone box) made by Kobayashi Rekisai (1884-1959) and his companions. It is made of mulberry. The rabbits depicted on the lid are carrying a wooden mallet called "kine", which is used for pounding mochi (Japanese rice cake). On the reverse side of the lid, a full moon is depicted in silver maki-e. In Japanese folklore, it is believed that in the moon is a rabbit pounding mochi. The tools for calligraphy such as suzuri (inkstone), sumi (inkstick), writing brush, knife, gimlet and suiteki (water dropper) are stored in the box. The two miniature brushes are usable.