A lacquer box with a fine design of cherry blossoms enclosed in a wooden box titled Aogai-iri Sakura Moyo Te-bako. Inside the box is written the date: the 31st of December, Meiji 37 (1904) Onshi followed by the honorificJiju and name Hineno Yokichiro . Each petal and leaf are uniquely cut from polished mother of pearl inlayed into the black lacquer surface. The interior is lined with gold powder with a tarnished silver rim. The lid of the box lifts off to reveal a compartment, with a drawer beneath. It is 14 x 12 x 10.5 cm (5-1/2 x 5 x 4 inches) and is in overall excellent condition.
The term Onshi on the box annotation refers to goods or acts bestowed by a sovereign upon subordinates as an expression of gratitude for their loyalty or meritorious service. The honorific Jiju refers to an official who serves in close attendance to the Emperor, assisting and supporting him in various capacities. Specifically, jijū belong to the Board of Chamberlains within the Imperial Household Agency. Hineno Yokichiro, (1853–1932) was a Court Councillor (Kyūchū Komonkan) of the Imperial Household Ministry. His court rank and decorations were Senior Third Rank (Shōsanmi) and Order of the Second Class (Kun-ni-tō). This box was given to him in honor of his service to the Meiji Emperor in 1904.
