Storage Case (Karabitsu)

A karabitsu is a rectangular lidded chest raised on four legs. The name, which translates to “Chinese chest,” implies a foreign origin for this elegant and functional form used in Japan since the Nara period (710–94) as a repository for precious objects. No prototype has survived in China, however. Although its origin is obscure, the karabitsu was seen as a luxurious furniture item in medieval Japan, likely intended for Buddhist monasteries or Shinto shrines.

This example shows a lacquer technique associated with Negoro-ji Temple, in today’s Wakayama Prefecture, and distinguished by a bright red surface that reveals glimpses of its black underlayer after prolonged use. The creation of Negoro ware involves reinforcing the object’s wooden core with hemp cloth, building a strong lacquer foundation, and applying three black coats topped with one red coat. Surface changes from handling over time are valued as expressions of the work’s history and transience.