Tebako or ornamental cosmetic box in a rectangular form, decorated with a design of a pair of squid swimming among water weeds. Of lacquer ornamented in high relief with carved layers (choshitsu technique) of colored lacquer on a togidashi or flat polished lacquer ground. Signed on the reverse with a carved signature by the artist: Konan (Takahashi Konan, born 1911). With the signed original box. Showa 21 or 1946.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Seiyu Mon Choshitsu Tebako or Carved Ornamental Cosmetic Box (Titled) Elegant Play; and on the reverse of the lid signed: Konan Saku or Made by Konan, and sealed: Konan.

This box was made for exhibition at the 2nd Nitten in the autumn of 1946, and is listed in the Nittenshi, volume 16, page 211, with the title: Seiyu Mon Choshitsu Tebako or Carved Ornamental Cosmetic Box (Titled) Elegant Play.

Takahashi Konan first created a warm moiré pattern ground with shades of mauve lacquer and then polished one through to the other in togidashi technique. Layers of colored lacquer were built up, finished in a final black layer, and the artist carved through them to define the design in choshitsu technique. The yellow and red layers are cut on a bias to halo and detail the black level, setting it apart from the ground.

An artist from Takamatsu on Shikoku, Takahashi Konan exhibited at the Shin-Bunten twice, and after the Pacific War at the Nitten and the Nihon Dento Kogeiten.