Large black and gold lacquered wooden platter, Kisoshikki, Japan, contemporary work of Akasaka Katsurō 赤阪勝郎 Roiro lacquer background decorated in hiramakie, nashiji, togidashi and raden takazogan (mother-of-pearl inlays in high relief). The decoration shows a lake insect called "gerris" or water spider or water skater, seeming to float on the middle of the tray while the rim is decorated with stylized plants called callitriches (palustris) and small gold dots in kirigane on a black lacquer background giving an impression of both stagnant water and depth. Diameter: 45.5 cmThis aquatic decoration explains the name given to this object, a name indicated both on the box and on the various labels mizube 水辺 (by the water) : on the lid it says mizube makie moriutsuwa 水辺 蒔絵盛器 (by the water, lacquer vessel) and on the labels are the name of the artist as well as the address of the workshop - Akasaka Katsurō 赤阪勝郎 whose address is Nagano ken - Kiso gun - Narukawa Mura - Hirasawa（長野県木曽郡楢川村平沢). This area is known for its production of lacquerware called Kisoshikki (Kiso lacquerware) and was classified by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in 1975 as a traditional handicraft area.