TOBACCO POUCH

 

This Japanese tobacco pouch, crafted between 1850 and 1880 during the late Edo or early Meiji period, exemplifies the refined artistry of its time. Made of lacquer, the pouch measures 6½ inches (16.5 cm) in height, 3⅛ inches (7.9 cm) in width, and 2½ inches (6.4 cm) in depth. 

Such pouches were commonly carried by men, suspended from the obi (sash) of a kimono, and often accompanied by a pipe and a netsuke (a carved toggle). They served both practical purposes and as expressions of personal style. 

This particular pouch is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, bequeathed by Edward C. Moore in 1891. While not currently on display, it remains a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and cultural significance of everyday objects in Japanese history.

image courtesy of ©metropolitan museum of art