Prajna Maki-e Incense box

This maki-e incense box depicts a hannya mask inspired by Buddhism. The title of this work “Prajna” suggests the meaning of the wisdom of the Buddha. The geometric pattern inside illustrates a mandala that interprets time and space using intricate decorative techniques such as “Raden”(shell inlay) and “Hyomon”.   “Hyomon" is one of the decoration techniques of lacquer art, in which a thin metal plate such as gold, silver, brass, or tin is cut into a pattern and pasted on the lacquer surface.