Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests

Japan

Not on view

The midarebako—a shallow traylike box used to temporarily hold folded clothing and small accessories—developed from a Heian-period (794–1185) predecessor. It was typically used when dressing or changing, for keeping things nearby at night, or while women arranged their hair. The shape indicates that larger boxes’ lids might originally have been used for the same purpose. This Kōdaiji-style version is embellished with maki-e paulownia crests associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and nine-orb (kuyō) crests used predominately by the Hosokawa family.

Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground, Japan

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Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground, Japan
Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground, Japan
Clothing Tray (Midare-bako) with Paulownia and “Nine Stars” Crests, Lacquered wood with gold, silver hiramaki-e and e-nashiji (“pear-skin picture”) on black ground, Japan

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