BIHO: A LACQUER TWO-CASE INRO DEPICTING MOMOTARO WITH HIS ANIMAL COMPANIONS AND TREASURE By Biho, signed Biho Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of rounded rectangular form, bearing a roiro ground richly decorated in iro-e takamaki-e with aogai and kirikane to depict Momotaro standing and holding a fan, as his animal companions move along their cart filled with numerous precious treasures including coral branches, a magic mallet, a large hat, and a chest, the dog and pheasant pulling the cart from the front while the monkey pushes it from behind. The interior of roiro with gold edges. The reverse with the gold-lacquered signature BIHO. HEIGHT 6.8 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear, few minuscule nicks, tiny losses to lacquer. Provenance: French private collection. Momotaro was born from a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been bestowed by the Gods to be their son. The couple named him Momotaro, from momo (peach) and Taro (a name meaning `eldest son in the family`). When he was just five years old, he was able to cut a big tree with just an old knife. When he matured into adolescence, Momotaro left his parents to fight a band of oni who marauded over their land, by seeking them out on the distant island where they dwelled (a place called Onigashima or `Demon Island`). En route, Momotaro met and befriended a talking dog, monkey and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest in exchange for a portion of his rations (kibi dango or `millet dumplings`). At the island, Momotaro and his animal friends penetrated the demons` fort and beat the band of demons into surrendering. Momotaro and his new friends returned home with the demons` plundered treasure and the demon chief as a captive Ozaki (`end of the cape`).