THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM 



Japan and probably was introduced from China. The finest 

 old lacquer was made under conditions scarcely reprodu- 

 cible to-day, with no thought of money value or of payment, 

 by handicraftsmen in the service of the Daimyos (feudal 

 lords) , who worked for the sheer love of producing the most 

 perfect work of art and craftsmanship that it was possible 

 for man to execute. At the left end of this case is an ex- 

 hibit of specimen lacquers showing the stages in the 

 process. The finest lacquer is so hard that the surface can- 

 not be scratched. 



In metal work also, the processes employed to give deco- 

 rative effects are more numerous and carried to greater 

 perfection in Japan than in the arts of any other people. 

 Small metal objects especially are often elaborately orna- 

 mented by damascening, chasing, inlaying, combining of 

 metals and repousse work. In cases at the left of the entry 

 in this room are box handles of iron inlaid with gold, silver 

 and cloisonne, unornamented locks many centuries old, or- 

 namental locks, hand-pulls and other objects, which give an 

 impression of the art of metal working as practised in 

 Japan. 



The elaborate inlaying of armor and decoration of swords 

 and sword furnishings may be seen in the hall above. 



An exhibit of ancient seals, including bronze seals for 

 pictures and ornamental writings, wooden seals used by 

 bookkeepers, writing materials, and water pots for mixing 

 ink, appears at the left of the entrance in this room. 



The West Corridor, at the left of this room, exhibits robes 



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