A FINE LACQUERED WOOD BUNKO (DOCUMENT BOX) DEPICTING... Lot n° 35

A FINE LACQUERED WOOD BUNKO (DOCUMENT BOX) DEPICTING A FALCON AND MOUNT FUJI Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of rectangular form, the interior with a fitted tray, the edges and corners covered in gold fundame. The cover lacquered in gold and silver takamaki-e and gold hiramaki-e, depicting a falcon, its eyes inlaid behind crystal or glass, its legs tied with ahikawa (jesses) perched on a daiboko (indoor screen) with a motoosi (swivel) tied with a leash, the sides lacquered with falconry accoutrements including an ooo (leash), egoushi (feed box), a flask, okinawa (creance), and buchi (brushing staff). The interior of the cover finely decorated on a sparse nashiji ground in gold takazogan, kirigane flakes, as well as gold and silver foil depicting a plum tree bearing large blossoms with mount Fuji towering in the background. SIZE 39.5 x 31.8 x 15.8 cm Condition: Good condition with wear, traces of use, small chips and cracks to the lacquer, some with associated old repairs, surface scratches, and small losses to the gold foil. The eye of the falcon repaired. The earliest reference to falconry in Japan appears in the Nihon Shoki, ca. 350 AD, and refers to a Korean emissary who brought a restrained hawk to Japan. During the Nara period (710-794) falconer became an official military station. With the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and the rise of the warrior classes, falconry became a popular samurai pastime and falconry schools such as the Suwa-ryu and Yoshida-ryu were founded. The practice was highly respected in samurai circles alongside archery, swordsmanship, and kemari.