Incense game; exterior is decorated with numerous boats filled with flowers in gold and silver lacquer on a nashiji (pear-skin) background; the box contains a writing box, a tray for voting tablets, inner tray and implements, Japan.

The exterior is decorated with numerous boats filled with flowers amid waves in gold and silver lacquer on a nashiji (pear-skin) background and has escutcheons formed of triple Tokugawa mon (family badges). The box contains a writing box, a tray for voting tablets, inner tray and implements. The tray is decorated with a similar design to the box and contains one hundred and forty four tablets in twelve small boxes. These boxes are painted in gold and silver with chrysanthemum badges in flower lozenge diaper and covers decorated with the twelve animals of the zodiac. The tablets are in ivory with gold lacquer marks and symbols. The inner tray is in nashiji lacquer, the sides with diaper in gold and silver. The writing box is decorated similar to the case in two tiers, the upper with an ink stone (signed Nakamura Reihei) and silver parcel gilt water vessel, the lower with a second series of voting-tablets. These tablets are in twelve sets of five, of polished wood painted with characters in gold. Implements include a brazier, chopping block, mallet and two knives, one with a sheath.

Incense, flowers, incense game

Alexander Gift

Incense appreciation began during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) when incense was imported from the mainland of Asia and collected by enthusiasts. By the Edo period (1615-1868) the game had reached the height of its popularity with incense game sets, such as this, being produced. To play four types of incense would be chosen and only three burnt. Guests would smell the original incense then compete to guess each scent that was burnt or to guess the fourth unburnt scent. To indicate their choice an ivory counter would be placed in a box and the guesses then marked down on paper.

W.319-1916