Ask med lock, lack. Japan, Meiji (1868-1912).

From the collection of a Scandinavian nobleman, who had a long diplomatic career starting, in the 1920s as a young attache in China, later on as ambassador in China.

Diplomatic gift from 'Le Prince Ito', business card accompanies the box.

Itō Hirobumi (伊藤 博文, 16 October 1841 – 26 October 1909) was a Japanese politician and statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Japan. He was also a leading member of the genrō, a group of senior statesmen that dictated Japanese policy during the Meiji era.