Japanese Papier Mache Lacquer Box with Interior Scenes carved animal I am uncertain as to

I am uncertain as to whether it is bronze cast or iron cast with bronze finish (it is quite heavy for its size)

in the original box

Each measures approximately 7 1/2" wide x 1 3/4" tall x 3/8" at thickest

but also because I didn’t know exactly what it was and wanted to find out

What I find especially intruiging about it are the cartoonish pyrograph designs

Japanese Papier Mache Lacquer Box with Interior Scenes carved animal I am uncertain as toI am fairly certain this lovely small Japanese lacquer on papier mache box dates to Meiji period, which extended from 1868 to 1912. It features wonderfully detailed depictions of interior scenes, including figures in beautifully decorated kimonos sitting and eating, all rendered in gold, white and black against red. I just love the specificity of the imagery, down to the facial expressions of each figure, and the overall effect it creates of glimpsing