These incense containers are lidded boxes meant to hold different types of incense, such as fragrant wood or pastilles. They were made in a variety of materials - lacquer, plain wood, metal, and ceramic and for a number of specific uses within the tea ceremony. The museum owns twelve incense containers that range in date from the Kamakura to the Edo period and which, as a group, have been designated Important Art Objects. All are small with fitted covers; the rims are reinforced with tin, and designs in maki-e decorated the inside of the lids. The decorations on the top of the containers fall into several categories: compositions of pine or plum trees growing from mounds of earth; scenery featuring cranes and the like, and designs of plovers, butterflies, or rabbits scattered over the surface.
Search by title, artist, place, style or other key words
2024 January
2024 February
2024 March
2024 April
2024 May
2024 June
2024 July
2024 August
2024 September
2024 October
2024 November
2024 December
2025 January
2025 February
2025 March
2025 April
2025 May
2025 June
2025 July
2025 August
2025 September
2025 October
2025 November
2025 December