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MASTERPIECESof Japan
Photograph of Cosmetic Box with Wheels in Stream

Cosmetic Box with Wheels in Stream

片輪車螺鈿蒔絵手箱

National TreasureCosmetic box (tebako) — Heian period

National Treasure

Cosmetic Box with Wheels in Stream

片輪車螺鈿蒔絵手箱

Type
Cosmetic box (tebako)
Period and date
Heian period, 12th century
Collection:
Tokyo National Museum

03 — Overview

A cosmetic box decorated in maki-e and mother-of-pearl with a design of wheels in a stream. Heian period. A National Treasure in the Tokyo National Museum.

04 — Object data

Designation
National TreasureSource ↗
Type
Cosmetic box (tebako)
Category
Lacquerware
Period
Heian period
Date
12th century
Material
Lacquer
Technique
Maki-e, Raden (shell inlay)
Collection
Tokyo National Museum ↗
05 — Detail · Tebako (Cosmetic box) Design of wheels-in-stream · By Tokyo National Museum · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

10 — Gallery

12 — Collection

Tokyo National Museum

Official website ↗

Films

LacquerwareIn Japanese

The craft of maki-e (Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Video title: 「蒔絵―中野孝一のわざ―」

Source: 文化庁　bunkachannel · YouTube ↗

13 — Related objects

Photograph of Writing Box with Pontoon Bridge

Writing Box with Pontoon Bridge

舟橋蒔絵硯箱

Writing box (suzuri-bako) — Edo· National Treasure

Photograph of Writing Box with Eight Bridges

Writing Box with Eight Bridges

八橋蒔絵螺鈿硯箱

Writing box (suzuri-bako) — Edo· National Treasure

Photograph of Inrō

Inrō

印籠

Inrō — Edo

Photograph of Dōjigiri Yasutsuna

Dōjigiri Yasutsuna

Dōjigiri Yasutsuna

Tachi sword — Heian· National Treasure

14 — Sources & references

  1. [1]
    片輪車螺鈿蒔絵手箱

    文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース · Government · Supports: Designation, Name

  2. [2]
    Wikidata Q107044953

    Wikidata · Database · Supports: Name, Date, Maker, Collection · Accessed 2026-09-25

  3. [3]
    File:Tebako (Cosmetic box) Design of wheels-in-stream.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  4. [4]
    File:Katawaguruma Raden Makie Box.JPG

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  5. [5]
    File:Katawaguruma-raden.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

15 — Image credits

  1. Tebako (Cosmetic box) Design of wheels-in-stream

    Creator / Photographer
    Tokyo National Museum
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Tebako (Cosmetic box) Design of wheels-in-stream.jpg ↗
    Credit
    ColBase: Integrated Collections Database of the National Museums, Japan: online database: entry tnm/H-4282
    Licence
    CC BY 4.0 ↗

  2. Katawaguruma Raden Makie Box

    Creator / Photographer
    photo: myself
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Katawaguruma Raden Makie Box.JPG ↗
    Credit
    my photo
    Licence
    CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗

  3. Katawaguruma-raden

    Creator / Photographer
    Unknown authorUnknown author
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Katawaguruma-raden.jpg ↗
    Credit
    e国寳
    Licence
    Public domain
All image credits →