Document box c. 1900 - 1920

This document box was created by Funabashi Shūmin using the labor-intensive Japanese lacquer technique known as maki-e. Maki-e involves sprinkling gold or silver powder onto wet lacquer to create a shimmering surface. Looking closely, you’ll see the intricate decoration of grasses and flowers. This wasn’t simply painted on; it was built up layer by layer with meticulous care, resulting in a raised, tactile quality. The process requires incredible patience and skill, and the result is far more than just decoration. Maki-e elevates a functional object into a work of art, blurring the lines between craft and fine art. The inherent value lies not only in the precious materials used, but also in the extensive labor required to produce such an object. Ultimately, this box prompts us to consider the value we place on handmade objects in a world of mass production, and to appreciate the cultural knowledge embedded within them.