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- 132. Buckets (kaioke) containing a shell game (with Dakigyoyo mon or crest) 18th/19th century / Boftes lkaioke] contenant un jeu de coquillages
Lacquer, wood, shells, pigment
In kai-awase (the shell-matching game), two identical sets of 180 painted shells were used. The interior of every shell in the set had a different miniature painting showing subjects that came from well-known literary classics like The Tate of Genji or poetry anthologies like the Kokinwakashu. Clam shells that fit easily into the palm of the hand were the preferred type of shell. To play the game, one set of shells was placed face down in front of the players. The other set was brought out of the kaioke (shell bucket) one shell at a time face up so the painting could be seen. The players then alternated in turning over the shells from the first set one at a time to find the matching shell. Since each shell had only one match, kaioke was seen as a symbol of feminine morality and was considered an especially appropriate part of the wedding trousseau.
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