A Set of Three Nesting Wooden Masu: Grain Measures

early twentieth century 4 5/8" x 4 5/8" x 2 3/8", 12 cm x 12 cm x 6 cm 5 1/12" x 5 1/2" x 2 3/4", 14 cm x 14 cm x 7 cm 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" x 3 1/2", 17 cm x 17 cm x 9 cm This is a nice, old nest of three wooden masu or grain measures. They are quite well-used, they are nailed together rather than joined, and the medium sized masu has pitted metal pieces on the perimeter of its face. Masu are objects that are used all over Japan and they also appear as a design on textiles. The reason for this is that masu, since they hold countless grains, is a symbol for ever-increasing abundance, plenitude and the wish for many offspring. As is easily seen, this group of three masu have been used hard and the wood surface is beautifully abraded, reflection on its life at work. Very attractive.