Tebako or ornamental cosmetic box ornamented with hollyhock flowers. Of kanshitsu or dry lacquer, the design executed in choshitsu or carved colored and black lacquers. Signed on a lacquer tablet on the reverse: Hosui Saku or Made by Hosui (Kaya Hosui, the go or art name of Kaya Yoshizo, 1899 – 1994). Showa 18 or 1943.

With the tomobako or original box signed on the interior lid: Hosui Saku or Made by Hosui, and sealed: Hosui. This box was made for exhibition at the 6th Shin-Bunten in 1943, and is illustrated in the Nittenshi, volume 15, page 356, number 72. With the original exhibition label: Choshitsu Tachiaoi Tebako, Toyama, Kaya Hosui or Carved Ornamental Stationary Box (with design of) Hollyhocks, Toyama, Kaya Hosui.

Born in Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture, Kaya Hosui in 1911 and entered the lacquer atelier of Ishii Yusuke III in 1911 to study lacquer arts, an apprenticeship that lasted until 1929.

He eventually succeeded as the heir to Yusuke lacquer ware tradition. In 1913 he began to study painting under Shuho Nakashima. In 1930 he received an award in the 17th Commerce and Industry Exhibition. Kaya first exhibited at the government sponsored exhibitions in 1936, with the Bunten Kansaten. He continued to exhibit at the Shin-Bunten and Hoshukuten until the War and afterwards at the Nitten. His work won the Tokusen or Highest Honors at the 6th Nitten.

In 1947 he was selected to make a work to present to the Emperor upon his visit to Takaoka. In 1964 he was designated a Toyama Prefecture Intangible Cultural Asset (in Yusuke lacquer ware techniques) and was awarded the Toyama Prefecture Cultural Award. In 1973 he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays Award (a decoration bestowed by the Emperor). As an artist he did much service in his efforts to bring Yusuke Lacquer ware into modernity.