Lacquer Box: What Sort of 4th Class Rising Sun ???

[ghp95134]

Here's something I do not see every day ... so I need the help of our collector fraternity.

Here is a lacquer box for the Order of the Rising Sun 4th Class ... is this for presentation to a foreigner? I saw a similar, but much more elaborate box, for a Rising Sun 2nd Class that was presented to a German Officer; but as I recall, that box had a large Kiri-mon at the top and smaller ones repeated throughout the background. This box has but a single Kiri-mon.

Size:
11.5cm x 8cm (4.5" x 3.25")

Text:
勲四等
旭日小綬章

Is this common to the collector community, or have I stumbled onto something nice? It makes a great jewelry box!

Thanks for your help,
-- Guy

[Nick Komiya]

Yes, that was a box for presentation to foreigners in the late Meiji period, after the Russo-Japanese War. around 1907. Earlier and later cases for foreigners had the multiple crests, so this type was used for only a short time. The tie tassels have been replaced, they would have been longer and red, attached to both sides of the box to be tied at the middle of the closed lid. These cases for foreigners are called Tamatebako, like what Taro Urashima received from the mermaid princess at the palace under the sea. You could have stayed 35 years old had you not opened the box.

[ghp95134]

Nick,

Thank you very much for such an informative post. Sadly, I've opened the Tamatebako and am no longer 35 years old -- the additional 33 years will catch up to me in late October!


Much obliged,
-- Guy

[ghp95134]

I found a good example at GMIC:





I see mine is in poor condition and is also missing the fitted insert.


And here's a civilian tamatebukuro with a bow I can figure out how to tie:


-- Guy

[MAP]

Well, with all the missing parts, it will be good as you say, for a jewelry box. It will easily hold your earring collection

[Nick Komiya]

Here's the 4th class Tamatebako from before the Russo-Japanese War.

[ghp95134]

Here's the 4th class Tamatebako from before the Russo-Japanese War.

Wow ... simply beautiful. Thanks for posting that image ... drool-drool....

-- Guy