Tebako or ornamental cosmetic box, with a design of shuro or hemp palm leaves against a pale beige ground, of lacquer ornamented in high relief colored lacquers, and nashiji or gold flake lacquer, the rims of applied pewter. Signed by the artist on the reverse in raised gold lacquer, Koshu Saku or Made by Koshu (Hirai Koshu, the go or art name of Hirai Kiichiro, 1881 – 1933). Early Showa Era, circa 1926 – 1933.

A Kyoto artist, Hirai Koshu studied lacquer art under Koda Shuetsu and exhibited frequently between 1925 and 1933. This lacquer speaks in the bold stylish idiom of the early Showa era.