An Antique Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Tray

Description

A fan shape black lacquer tray from Japan circa 1910-30s, late Meiji to early Showa era. Elaborated decorated with a … more A fan shape black lacquer tray from Japan circa 1910-30s, late Meiji to early Showa era. Elaborated decorated with a bundle of yomogi blossom in a very fine Maki-e technique using both gold and silver powders. There is a Japanese symbol on the top left, which represents yomogiu, stemming from yomogi (蓬), a wild plant that belongs to the chrysanthemum family and widely grown in Japan.
This name yomogui is from a scene in the Tale of Genji, and the symbol is Used specifically when playing the Tale of Genji themed incense game. The tray was likely used as an accessory container for the game pieces. less