Lot 488 Dα

A large wooden lidded box for writing utensils (bunko). Mid-19th century

Of rectangular shape with slightly bulging sides, the lid carved with the famous Chinese physician Bashiko seated on a rock and feeding medicine to a dragon descending from clouds. The edges of the lid a bit damaged. Tomobako with inscription on the lid reading, bunko, and signed Inagaki Sumihide (Choei) cho and dated Ansei 4 (1857) on the reverse of the lid.
Height 9.5 cm; width 10.5 cm; length 41 cm