柿本人麻呂蒔絵硯箱|Writing Box (Suzuribako) with the Poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

Unknown

18th century · Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cutout gold- and silver-foil application; lead rim · Asian Art

There was a long tradition of imaginary portraits of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (ca. 660–724), among Japan’s greatest poets. Here, he leans on an armrest, immersed in thought—a pose first used in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Depicting distant sails, morning fog, and the coastal pines of Akashi Bay, the interior of the box references Hitomaro’s most famous waka, compiled in 905 in the Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern (Kokin wakashū).

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cutout gold- and silver-foil application; lead rim

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015