Cosmetic Box (Tebako) with Chrysanthemum Flowers first half of the 15th century Japan During the Nara (710-784) and Heian (794-1185) periods, when the most important Shinto shrines were created in Japan, the court nobility offered sacred gifts to the deities (kami) venerated in these shrines, including mirrors, swords, precious crystals and cosmetic boxes. This lacquer cosmetic box (tebako) is a rare example of the kind of precious object made as a ritual offering. The boxes were offered with the notion that the deities could beautify themselvessimilarly to the courtiers who applied makeup as a ritual and as a court custom. This tradition of offering elaborately decorated lacquer cosmetic sets continued mainly through the beginning of the Momoyama period (1573-1615). These special orders were made by the best lacquer masters using the most precious materials regardless of the costs. This 15th-century, rectangular, deep box is decorated with gold and silver chrysanthemum flowers execut