Antique Japanese Meiji Era c1870's Kiri Wood Suzuribako Calligraphy Tansu Chest 11" Doll Very unusual wooden mechanical pencil

Very unusual wooden mechanical pencil with a carved top in the form of a cats head

Suitable for sushi

Signed original

5" tall (18 x 35

1925) sakazuki (sake cup)

Antique Japanese Meiji Era c1870's Kiri Wood Suzuribako Calligraphy Tansu Chest 11" Doll Very unusual wooden mechanical pencilThis is a 120 year old antique Japanese suzuribako from the late Meiji Era c1900. This suzuribako (portable calligraphy tansu) has three drawers and a lidded top section, made of solid Kiri (paulowina) wood. The metal hardware is hand forged iron. Length = 11" Width = 7" Height = 7" Suzuribako were used as portable accounting chests (the forerunner of the attache' case). Also known as a calligraphy chest as it housed an ink stone, brushes, ink stick,