Incense Tray with Three Friends of Winter (Sho•Chiku•Bai) Signed: Chikusen Japan, Showa period, mid-1900s bamboo, lacquer,  d 13 inches (33 cm), h 1½ inches (3.8 cm) Lutz Bamboo Collection, gift of China Chow, Maximilian Chow, and Malu Byrne 2009.728

In Japan, the trio of pine, bamboo, and plum is called the Three Friends of Winter (sho•chiku•bai). Pine (sho) is a symbol of longevity, bamboo (chiku) is strong and resilient, and plum (bai) is the first tree to bloom after the cold winter. The three are associated with the New Year, and a bamboo tray in the shape of a plum blossom with gold-lacquer pine needles is used to display incense utensils on New Year’s Day or other celebratory occasions.

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