Samurai Hokai Boxes

EDO PERIOD 1840 TO 1895.
OVER 130 YEARS OLD. RARE SET WITH ORIGINAL OUTER BOXES.
MUSEUM QUALITY

A Magnificent Pair of Japanese Antique Hokai complete with original outer storage boxes. Circular wood ribbed frame standing on four legs. Black Ro Iro lacquer on the outside (hard bright finish, finest quality). Hira maki e (flat gold lacquer) . Taka maki e (raised gold lacquer). Nashi ji (pear skin lacquer)
All these lacquer techniques and more are used in this stunning set. Plum tree with buds and blossoms, Bamboo leaves, Pine twills. Various Kamon (House Crests). Inside, vermillion red lacquer. Underneath of the lids. Three Cranes in Flight, the rim edged in gold maki e. Chased gilt metal fittings. Original thick braided orange red cords with tassel's.
The superb outer decoration forming the rebus: 'Sho Chiku Bai' (Pine Bamboo Plum), "The Three Friends of Winter".
The cover decorated under: Three Flying Cranes, alludes to happiness, good fortune and longevity, the fabled life span of the crane is a thousand years.

### Ideal to display in the home, house entrance, dojo, restaurant etc. ###

This RARE PAIR of Hokai is MUSEUM QUALITY. Have NOT seen anything on the net, to compare in Quality, Standard, Condition that can match my price.
The original owners name Nishikawa Yutaro is recorded on the inside of the large outer storage box.

NOTE: Two Overseas "Antique Dealers" ... each offering inferior Hokai to mine, costing more, both "Antique Dealers" INCORRECTLY describing what they are and what their use is....!!!

****PLEASE COMPARE .. MY SUPERB PAIR (2) of Late Edo Period Hokai to the below.
This Pair (2) for sale in UK: A$20,743......incorrectly dscribed as Samurai Helmet Boxes...!!!
Has No outer boxes.
(copy and paste the full address)
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/lacquer/pair-of-edo-period-black-gold-lacquer-samurai-helmet-boxes/id-f_14905771/?utm_term=low&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=criteo&utm_campaign=display_aus-pdp-criteo-non-exclusive&utm_content=d&currency=aud

Hokai, (1 only) for sale in the USA for US$3837..... incorectly described as a Hatbox....!!!
Has No original tasselled rope, No outer box.....SOLD $4385
(copy and paste the full address)
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/lacquer/japanese-black-lacquer-hat-box/id-f_1792843/

Condition. Superb for age. Unlike most Hokai this pair still retains the Original Outer Boxes. For the past 150 years or more they have been stored in their Original Outer Boxes, except when taken out for display.
Refer to the large images for full of details of quality and condition.
Dimensions about:
48cm high x 44 cm wide

NOTE: Hokai originated in the Heian period 794-1185 as a carrying container for conveying food offerings to the Shrine or Temple. In later periods they were used by Samurai families as well as wealthy merchants, as containers for food and drink, carried by retainers, used when Cherry Blossom Viewing , Moon Viewing, River Viewing etc. They were also used at Celebration times.
They are NOT and NEVER were "Hat Boxes or Samurai Helmet boxes...!!!"

A$5,500