Event
Imperial Silver Bonbonnières
: Decorative Candy Boxes for Celebrations
July 27, 2013 (sat) – October 6, 2013 (sun)
Admission: Adults:1000yen（800）
Students: 800yen（600）
* Prices shown in ( ) indicate group (more than 20 persons) discount tickets.
http://www.emuseum.or.jp/eng/exhibition_eng/index.html
Venue
Hosomi Museum
http://www.emuseum.or.jp/eng/
Access: 6-3 Saishoji-cho Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: 075-752-5555
Hours: 10:00 ~ 18:00
（entry up to 30 minutes before closing.）
Closed: Monday
(Tuesday if the Monday is a national holiday)
Description
“Bonbonniﾃｨres” are beautiful lidded cake boxes, so small as to fit into the palm of one’s hand. In French, the word means “small boxes for confectionary.”
These bonbonniﾃｨres first appeared in Japan around the middle of the Meiji Period, when Japan was importing Western customs and becoming a modern nation. From then on, bonbonniﾃｨres filled with candy were given to guests at celebratory banquets hosted by members of the Imperial Family.
Although one usually has little chance to see bonbonniﾃｨres, at this exhibition we will display approximately 120 of them. Elegantly designed and superbly crafted, they come in various shapes, such of those resembling Japanese incense containers, and are only a few centimeters in size. Some being faithful representations of traditional Japanese furnishings, while others reflecting the trends of their times, they are breathtaking in their intricacy.
Additionally, through these small containers which were given as presents during banquets, one is able glimpse into Japan’s unique culture of “decoration” and “hospitality.” On this occasion, we ask you to experience this world of miniature beauty, full of grace and delicate sensibility.
Lastly, we wish to give our deepest gratitude to Sensu Tadashi, who conducts research on the Imperial Household, for his cooperation in preparing this exhibition.
Summer of 2013
The Hosomi Museum
The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Lt.
