Untitled

Unknown

18th century · Clam shells painted in gold and color · Asian Art

The shell game was a popular pastime in the Edo period. Sets like this one were often included in a daimyo bride's trousseau. To play the game, a number of shells are divided between two boxes. One group is taken out and then matched one at a time to the halves from the second box. Pairs of related scenes from the Tale of Genji and other romances are painted on the inside of the shells as clues.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Clam shells painted in gold and color

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Yukikazu Iwasa, in honor of Mrs. Shizuko Iwasa, 1988