Gilt‑copper‑mounted kaitei box with mikkan hōju, rinpō and kamma motifs

wood with gilt‑copper mountings · Muromachi period · 16th century · Son'ei‑ji, Shizuoka

The box lid itself is a ritual altar: the three motifs—hōju (wish‑fulfilling jewel), rinpō (wheel‑precious), and kamma—stand guard over the unseen 'precepts' kept inside.

Exhibition: Celebrating 1250 Years Since the Birth of the Great Master Kūkai: Kūkai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism — Tokyo National Museum · 2026-07-14 – 2026-09-06