合貝形源氏蒔絵香箱|Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from The Tale of Genji

Unknown

second half of 19th century · Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, cutout gold- and silver-foil application · Asian Art

This incense box in the shape of two interlocking shells imitates the painted clamshells used in the shell-matching game (kai-awase). The scene here refers to Chapter 42, “The Fragrant Prince” (Nioumiya). Publicly recognized as Genji’s son, Kaoru has doubts about the circumstances of his birth. A poem voiced by him is inscribed in fine gold lines within stylized clouds: Whom might I ask? Why must it be that I do not know the beginning or the end? —Translation by Edward G. Seidensticker

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half of 19th century

Medium

Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, cutout gold- and silver-foil application

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. George A. Crocker (Elizabeth Masten), 1937