Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The fan with 21 blades tied together by a string, one side showing a man and husband, their faces, hands and feet inlaid in Shibayama-style, in front of an elaborately lacquered scenery including temple lanterns, huts and various trees. One fan guard is inlaid and lacquered with a sparrow flying above another tree, the other with a butterfly above flowers. The reverse is lacquered with quails and a pheasant amongst flowers and grasses. The end with a tasseled cord and a lacquered ivory ojime. The fan is stored inside a finely lacquered wood box. Maximum LENGTH 45 cm, dimensions of box 31 x 5.8 x 5 cm Condition: Very good overall condition, the string is likely replaced, there is some extremely minor wear to lacquer and one mother-of-pearl inlay is missing. The lacquered box with some wear, losses and chips. Provenance: British collection.