Meiji-era Japanese papier-mâché and lacquer fubako, or letter box. In more epistolary times, letters from distant family, friends, or lovers were precious things, to be kept and reread over and over. This one is decorated with a fire dragon motif, which symbolizes fierce protection and intense passion in Japanese art (also, volcanoes). In irezumi (Japanese traditional tattooing), a dragon entwined with fire is thought to afford protection from flames, and is a popular tattoo among firefighters 🔥
Meiji-era Japanese papier-mâché and lacquer fubako, or letter box. In more epistolary times, letters from distant family, friends, or lovers were precious things, to be kept and reread over and over. This one is decorated with a fire dragon motif, which symbolizes fierce protection and intense passion in Japanese art (also, volcanoes). In irezumi (Japanese traditional tattooing), a dragon entwined with fire is thought to afford protection from flames, and is a popular tattoo among firefighters 🔥
