Provenance
Hara Sankei
Dimensions
Height: 3.0 cm
Body Diameter: 5.6–6.9 cm
Weight: 50 g
Owner
Tokyo, Hatakeyama Memorial Museum
This incense container features an elongated rectangular shape with a tin rim. The lid’s exterior displays a design of Mount Penglai in full powder-filled lacquer, combined with mother-of-pearl inlay. The underside of the lid also depicts Mount Penglai in maki-e. The interior of the body is adorned with a maki-e design of a crane feeding on pine nuts. The tin rim is perfectly preserved, and the lid fits well.
Originally likely one of the boxes for cosmetics used by noblewomen, it is now prized as a renowned incense container cherished by tea masters.
The image of Mount Penglai was frequently used in ancient maki-e and remained a celebrated motif in later periods. Ancient lore tells of China sending envoys to Japan in search of the elixir of immortality, believing a land of immortals existed here.
Based on this, the motif may have been transmitted to Japan. Drawing upon this origin story, it has often been incorporated into the themes of tea gatherings.
It is said that the art enthusiast Hara Sankei once treasured this piece.
