Small Kobako circular box in lacquered wood with a cicada and unidentified insect, probably
a gryllotalpa orientalis, displayed on its top part.
The background is decorated in maki-e, creating a gold spray on black, and the cicada’s body
is incrustated with blue pearly blue shell with the raden technique, probably kenma raden
given the thinness of the pieces of shell.
Insects (mushi) play an important role in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular
pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and
other insects for observation. In fact, mushi can be seen as familiar animals, playing a role in
a child’s education: at first, the child will play with the ladybug, progressing as his or her
education progresses to the complex task of hunting dragonflies, which requires a certain
amount of skill.
Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Diameter: 6cm – Height: 2,8cm