Antique Japanese Damascene cigarette case, most likely dating back to the Meiji period (1868–1912) or the early 20th century. The focal point of the case depicts the iconic Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) temple in Kyoto, surrounded by meticulous mountain, water, and pine tree landscapes.

This style is commonly referred to as Komai style or Damascening. It is an intricate metalworking technique where threads of 24K gold and silver are painstakingly inlaid into a darkened iron or bronze base to create highly detailed, textile-like patterns. The borders are embellished with a traditional, dense floral pattern. This cases belonged to my maternal grandfather, and it has been in my family for nearly a century.