Hand-painted Gold on Black Japanese Lacquer Box with Figure, Signed hand-thrown bowl but it was originally created

but it was originally created (in the second half of the 19th century I believe) to house a cricket

Such a luscious vase

involving spelling

Classic Arts and Crafts style in color and form

making it feel all the more a special object

Hand-painted Gold on Black Japanese Lacquer Box with Figure, Signed hand-thrown bowl but it was originally createdI love a good lacquer box, and really love the imagery on this one, with this serene looking cross legged figure, a monk I assume, holding up a brush in one hand and flag like page in the other, painted with what I'd assume is the kanji or signature of its maker. And then those great trees and islands in the background, with abstracted bird flying overhead. I assume this lacquered papier mache box is early 20th century Japanese. The interior is a deep