Lacquer and Eggshell Chabako (Tea Utensil Box)


A rectangular box of crisp, straight-sided form, the overlapping lid seated over a raised inner rim. The top of the lid and both short ends are covered in rankaku, fragments of crushed eggshell set as a dense, irregular mosaic, each piece finely crazed. In contrast, the two long sides carry a wave pattern inlaid in raden: thin mother-of-pearl with a fine crosshatched texture, alternating with undulating bands of glossy black lacquer. The interior is lacquered black and fitted with a removable black lacquer kakego tray, pierced at one corner with a circular opening to accommodate the chasen-zutsu (whisk case).