胡蝶蒔絵硯箱|Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji

Unknown

20th century · Gold lacquer with raised sprinkled design · Asian Art

This writing box forms a pair with document box 1981.243.1a–f.. The decoration on the lid continues the story of the sunny spring day depicted on the document box: cranes fly over the blossoming cherry and pine trees, while a boat on the shore waits for its passengers. The insides of both boxes are embellished with autumn grasses by a river. It refers to one of the poems Lady Murasaki composed during the boat party.

Artist

Unknown

Date

20th century

Medium

Gold lacquer with raised sprinkled design

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Anonymous Gift, from the Collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin DeWitt Riegel, 1981