Kōgō (incense box) in textured and lacquered wood, shaped like a physalis. The exterior surface of the box is painted with pigmented lacquer in red, orange, and yellow, gradually transitioning from the stem to the tip. The interior of the box is finished in gold fundame. The contact surfaces between the lid and the base are coated in orange lacquer.

The storage box (tomobako) is signed by Azechi Takio (1926–1989), a master lacquer artist born in the city of Yamanaka (now part of Kaga following its merger with the city of the same name), in Ishikawa Prefecture. In addition to inheriting the family lacquer workshop, he devoted himself to the practice of kanshitsu (dry lacquer technique). In 1982, he founded the Musō workshop, dedicated to glazing ceramics for the tea ceremony.

The physalis—more precisely Physalis alkekengi, known as hōzuki in Japanese—is a plant known by several names, such as bladder cherry, ground cherry, Japanese lantern, Chinese lantern, or “love-in-a-cage.” Valued for its ornamental qualities, its fruit is edible and is also used in traditional medicine.

Japan – Shōwa period (1926–1989)

Height: 4.5 cm – Length: 5 cm – Width: 4.5 cm