A dazzling four-tiered jûbako 重箱 (tiered food container/stacked picnic box) with cover. This rectangular box is richly adorned with small mother-of-pearl 螺鈿 (raden) inlays in iridescent shades of blue and white. It features a repetitive pattern of a crest 紋 (mon) depicting a wood sorrel with a sword between the petals, encircled and known as ‘Maru ni hanare ken katabami’ 丸に離れ剣片喰. The design is further embellished with small flakes of mother-of-pearl on a black lacquer substrate. The interior is elegantly coated with crimson red lacquer. Complete with original black lacquer wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box) with dated inscription on the inside: ‘Meiji 16’ 拾六明治, Anno 1883. Dimensions: Height 30.2 cm, Length 24.7 cm, Depth 21.5 cm. Considering its age, in a very good condition with some traces of wear conform age, and old restorations. Petal of inlay missing. Please look at the photos for a clear condition reference. Hanami, as a major festival celebrating one of the four seasons, came to be associated with tiered food boxes called jûbako. Often made of lacquered wood, the tradition of stacking them was not only for functionality but also to symbolize the desire for good fortune to “accumulate.” When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.