Tabakobon (tobacco tray)

It is said that this tobacco tray was used by Hanaogi, one of the highest rank courtesans in the Edo period. She belonged to the Ogi-ya of Yoshiwara pleasure quarters. The red-lacquered tray resembles the paper lanterns (andon in Japanese) used indoors in those days. Those lanterns were also decorated with red lacquer. The name of the courtesan "Hanaogi" is inscribed on the kiseru (Japanese pipe).