Untitled

Kubo Shunman

19th century · Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Lacquer objects are often depicted on luxurious, limited-edition New Year’s greeting cards (surimono). This print shows a small, red lacquer, maki-e decorated writing table with an unbrushed poem card (tanzaku) placed on it. Next to the table is a lacquer writing box. On the outside, it is decorated with gold and silver chrysanthemum maki-e, while the inside is red lacquer. It contains an inkstone, a water-dropper, an ink stick, and three brushes. The brushes are very fine, suitable for tanzaku calligraphy. The poems reveal that these are accoutrements to be used for practicing the “first calligraphy” (kakizome) of the year.

Artist

Kubo Shunman

Date

19th century

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929