Offering box with mitsuda-e oil painting

Maker unknown · Black-lacquered wood, painted in red and yellow, oil coating · Used at the Great Buddha’s eye-opening ceremony, 752 · Shōsō-in Treasures, Middle Section 143

Look for the swirling phoenixes and fantastic birds on the black lacquer. This box held incense offered at Tōdai-ji’s eye-opening ceremony for the Great Buddha in 752.