絵本散し蒔絵料紙箱|Document Box with Illustrated Books

Unknown

19th century · Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e on nashiji ground · Asian Art

This large box for calligraphy paper (ryōshi-bako) forms a set with the writing box of the same design. Writing boxes and document boxes were often prepared in pairs; sometimes a writing table completed the set. The open book on the front of the lid reveals a scene from “The Gatehouse,” chapter 16 of The Tale of Genji, with a procession of court carriages and elegant courtiers on their way to Ishiyama. On the right side of the box is a scene from Ise Stories, while the inside is decorated with bamboo and chrysanthemums, representing endurance and longevity, respectively.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Lacquered wood with gold and silver hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e on nashiji ground

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913