TOYO (DATES UNKNOWN)A Rare, Elepgant, and Unusual LacquerKendai (Lectern) in the Form ofGagaku (Traditional Imperial Court Music and Dance) ImplementsMeiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th centuryFinely lacquered in goldiro-e takamaki-e and goldhiramaki-e andnashiji, formed from three assembled parts: the pedestal base shaped as a rectangular drum fitted with a single frontal drawer, the exterior sides of the drum embellished with stencil-like sprigs of peony blossoms beneath a narrow border of butterflies alternating with wisps of cloud inlaid in shell relief, the narrow outer edges further applied with silver-metal studs, raised on four shortpo-tsunagi-shaped (linked-cash) feet, which in turn supports two elaborate arms connected across the middle by a pair of drumsticks and across the bottom by an oval panel decorated with two overlapping inscribedshikishi-ban, one signedToyo, the right arm in the shape of a hand drum, the left in the shape of atorikabuto (dancer's cap), richly lacquered in polychromemaki-e with geometric motifs and simulated tasselled adornments of the courtly instruments, details of silvered metal, both arms supporting the slightly sloping rectangular book rest for the placement of the music script, the left, right and front sides of the reading table decorated in gold lacquer relief with 12 scattered characters denoting thejuniritsu (12-pitch scale, a standardized gamut of notes, also known as the Chinese chromatic scale, see below), the reverse edge of the book rest in the form of aryuteki (dragon flute), the underside of the lectern lacquered in goldhiramaki-e with stylised butterflies, flowers and ferns surrounding a cockerel applied in silver high relief within a circular panel, fitted with two hooks suspending two removable, heavy, ornately beaded tasselled cords, with a silver-lacquered rectangularbunchin (weight) and a red-lacquered wood, custom-madetomobako storage box signed on the exterior of the lid with a large red sealToyo and titled in gold lacquer on a silver rectangular panelGakkigata maki-e kendai (Book stand in the form of musical instruments) and retaining the original elegantly cushioned and purple silk-lined interior.42cm x 33cm (16½in x 13in). (5).Artist or Maker: Toyo Miyatake (Japanese, 1895-1979)Provenance: Thejuniritsu 十二律 (12 pitches) around the sides of the lectern transcribe and read:黄鐘(kosho) – A大呂(tairyo) – A♯太簇(taiso) – B夾鐘(kyosho) –C姑洗(kosen) – C♯仲呂(churyo) – D蕤賓(suihin) – D♯林鐘(rinsho) – E夷則(isoku) – F南呂(nanryo) – F♯無射(bueki) – G応鐘(osho) – G♯