Oddly shaped sagemono (?)

[John C]

I just picked up this brass compartmentalized medicine/cosmetic holder. It has an odd shape with a notch half way down on one side. To secure into an obi, perhaps? The top screws off and the "egg" opens up. It seems a little too bulbous and heavy to be a sagemono, however I cannot think what else it would be or how it would be used.

Has anyone seen this shape/style before? I don't believe it's too old, but not real recent either.

 

John C.

[Matsunoki]

Something to do with gunnery? Piers?

@Bugyotsuji

[Bugyotsuji]

Where did you get it John, and how do you know it’s Japanese? To me it looks like a seal set (black and red) but with (post Edo?) western powder-flask influence.

[John C]

6 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Where did you get it John, and how do you know it’s Japanese?

Piers:

I got it off of ebay. Not sure if it is Japanese. It was marketed as a sagemono, however it doesn't seem to be the right shape or weight for that. To me, it just seems to be some sort of soldered brass case. Probably from the 1920s-1940s? It was cheap enough and interesting enough to take a chance on it.

John C.

[Matsunoki]

Could it be a tinder minus the striking mechanism? That’s what the shape reminds me of. Probably not - but all brass suggests a need to avoid unwanted sparks…..gunpowder?   No idea really, just guessing.

[John C]

5 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Could it be a tinder

Interesting idea. The inside bottom is actually purposefully scratched in such a way that it could probably light a "strike anywhere" match. Not sure how it would have been secured to the person. The only attachment point is the other side of the chain hook on the latch screw.

John C.