Lot 403

A Japanese lacquer writing box, the exterior of the cover depicting two boats in the water and three cranes flying in the sky, along the shore two 'minogame' crawl near pine trees, the interior of the cover decorated with a silver bat above a fan and wheat. Inside the box a broad inkstone and a silver water dropper shaped ans a crane. In Japanese folklore, the minogame is a turtle believed to live up to 10,000 years. It represents longevity and wisdom and often accompanies the god Jurojin, who is one of the seven lucky gods of Japan. The minogame has a long tail made out of seaweed and it features in the famous folktale of Urashima Taro. Japan, late 19th/early 20th century -5 x 20 x 23 cm, some wear and light damage-