Elegant small kobako in the shape of a bitter melon, also known as balsam pear or bitter cucumber. Crafted in bluish-green lacquer, with a gold-lacquered interior. The rendering of this colored lacquer is particularly interesting: given the age of the piece, it is likely that a synthetic lacquer was used, although silver or tin oxides, as well as vegetal and mineral pigments such as indigo and orpiment, have long been employed.

The common name “margose” derives from the Indo-Portuguese amargosa or margosa (meaning “bitter”), from which terms such as momordica amarga and the Spanish pepino amargo originate; the plant and its fruit are known by many other names as well.

Bitter melons belong to a family of flowering plants cultivated as annual vegetables throughout the Indian Ocean region and across much of Asia. In Japan, this vegetable is considered to promote longevity. Indeed, it is widely used in traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of diabetes and certain cancers. Moreover, bitter melon is known to improve glucose tolerance and can significantly help reduce cholesterol levels.

Japan — Taishō era
Height: 2.5 cm — length: 13 cm — width: 3 cm