A Japanese kiseruzutsu (pipe case), decorated with a Dutchman, signed Hisamine

Edo period, early 19th century

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L. 21.5 cm

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Decorated in iroe-e takazogan on lacquered leather with a Dutchman and his dog, with an insert of stag antler. It is signed Hisamine, but unfortunately, nothing is known about this artist.

Tobacco was introduced in Japan by the Portuguese in the mid-sixteenth century. However, it was banned in 1611 because of fire-hazard but probably also as some unwanted foreign habit. In 1716 the prohibition on smoking tobacco was repealed.
 

Provenance:
Collection of Drs Edmund and Julie Lewis

 

Literature:
Edmund J. Lewis and Joe Earle, Shadows and Reflections: Japanese Lacquer Art from the Collection of Edmund J. Lewis at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1996, (ill.)