A SUPERB LACQUER MINIATURE KODANSU (CABINET) DEPICTING THE NUNOBIKI FALLS WITH EN-SUITE LACQUER STANDJapan, 19th centuryOf rectangular form with recessed edges, bearing a gold-lacquered ground finely decorated in gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with kirikane to depict waterfalls gushing between craggy rocks below thick clouds, the door with a boat adrift in the water, the scenery further with thatched-roof houses and pine trees. The kodansu with silver fittings chased and incised with foliate designs against a ring-punched ground, the handle with a sliding lock mechanism. The hinged door opening to reveal three drawers with silver handles and decorated in gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with e-nashiji, gyobu nashiji, and kirikane against a reddish-brown ground to depict mountains, rocks, trees, and waves, the interiors of rich nashiji with gold fundame edges, the interior of the door similarly decorated. The kodansu is supported on a separately carved four-legged stand similarly decorated with gyobu nashiji to the sides, legs, and shaped apron.SIZE 8.2 x 7.8 x 10.6 cmCondition: Very good condition with only very minor wear.With a red-lacquered wood storage box (tomobako)The scenery embellishing this box is a classic motif of Japanese literature and art. The word nunobiki means "stretched cloth," here realized as a silken cascade descending across the top and door. Nunobiki Falls is a set of waterfalls near downtown Kobe, considered one of the greatest ‘divine falls’ together with Kegon Falls and Nachi Falls. The Nunobiki Falls comprises four separate falls: Ontaki, Mentaki, Tsutsumigadaki, and Meotodaki.Auction comparison: Compare a lacquer kodansu depicting the Nunobiki Falls, dated 19th century, at Christie’s, 21 March 2012, New York, lot 919 (sold for 35,000 USD).