This masugata (square) confectionary container comes with bamboo chopsticks. It is wrapped in matching cloth and housed in a paulownia wood tomobako (matching box). The lid of the tomobako is inscribed with "Wajima-nuri Masu-kashiki" (Wajima-lacquer Masu Confectionery Container), and the inside of the lid reads "Masu-masu Hanjō Kanreki-iwai" (Prosperity Grows and Grows, Celebration of the 60th Birthday). The bottom is lacquered black. The color is crimson (enji-iro). It appears that the "tame-nuri" technique is used, where vermilion lacquer is layered to create a translucent effect, resulting in a crimson appearance. On the side of the confectionary container, the characters "Shima-nuri" are written in a style that appears to be tensho (seal script). On another side, there are illegible characters, possibly a seal. Below that, in a standard font, is the seal "Gokkai" (extremely revised), with the frame of the seal resembling a bank's map symbol. All seals are gold. The explanation of the seals is below. 【"Shima-nuri"】 The character "Shima" (island) is written within a circle, possibly "Wajima" (referring to Wajima lacquerware). Using the old character adds to the elegance, historical significance, and artistic impression. 【"???"】 It is impossible to tell whether it is two characters in tensho script or a combination of three or four characters. On the internet, there is a connection to "Yamagishi Shokado," a Wajima-nuri confectionary container of a similar type. "Yamagishi Shokado" is a long-established "nushiya" (lacquerware artisan) from the Edo period, but whether "???" is the seal of "Yamagishi" is unknown. The current head of "Yamagishi Shokado" is the 17th generation, and the confectionary container on display may have been made by a previous generation of lacquer artisans. 【"Gokkai"】 This is a seal equivalent to "kiwame-gaki" (authentication) on the tomobako. "Gokkai" is likely a seal that certifies the authenticity after assessing the genuineness. On the bottom of the confectionary container, "Kō-hiro (mouth width) 4 sun 9 bu" and "Soko-fuka (bottom depth) 2 sun 7 bu" are written. Converting with 3.03 cm/sun (= 10 bu), the mouth width is 14.85 cm, and the bottom depth is 8.18 cm. The calculated capacity is 1803 ml. The capacity of a standard one-sho bottle (masu) is 1.8 liters, which, of course, matches. Note that the dimensions of "Kō-hiro" and "Soko-fuka" do not match the actual dimensions below. This is likely because it was not a masugata confectionary container made for measurement. The approximate size (cm) and weight are as follows: 【Confectionary Container】 Outer dimensions: Length and width 17.8, height 9.1 / Inner dimensions: Length and width 16.0, depth 8.4 / Weight: 440g / 【Tomobako】 Length and width 20.3, height 12.5 / Weight: 337g / The tomobako shows signs of aging, such as stains and discoloration, suggesting its age. However, the confectionary container has almost no stains or damage and is in excellent condition, a beautiful item. The chopsticks are still wrapped and taped, but a slight tear reveals the tips, confirming they are made of bamboo. The masugata confectionary container appears to be unused based on its appearance, and it is a beautiful item with a "tame-nuri" finish. We hope you will enjoy using it as a confectionary container. For autumn ohagi (rice balls) and spring botamochi (rice cakes).