402 - Iwasa Hōshū A suishu (carved red lacquer) "elephant" kōgō (incense box), the reverse carved with a lion. A tsuishu (carved red lacquer) incense box (kōgō), one side carved in relief with an elephant, the reverse with a lion. The deeply carved layers of red lacquer reveal the characteristic laminated structure of the tsuishu technique, the warm red tones enriched by the subtle gradation of the lacquer strata.

Iwasa Hōshū A suishu (carved red lacquer) "elephant" kōgō (incense box), the reverse carved with a lion. A tsuishu (carved red lacquer) incense box (kōgō), one side carved in relief with an elephant, the reverse with a lion. The deeply carved layers of red lacquer reveal the characteristic laminated structure of the tsuishu technique, the warm red tones enriched by the subtle gradation of the lacquer strata. By Iwasa Hōshū, a master lacquer artist active from the Meiji through the Shōwa era, who carried on the tradition of Echigo Murakami tsuishu, a lacquerware craft native to Niigata Prefecture. L: 9.6cm W: 9.6cm H: 4.3cm Tomobako (artist-inscribed box) Japan