Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Books

18th century

Not on view

Beautifully bound works of literature decorate the top of this box. The two closed books bearing titles are the poetry anthology Zoku gosenshū and "The Autumn Excursion", Chapter 7 of the Tale of Genji; the partially open book quotes from a poetry contest. The illustration in the fully open book shows a scene from "Channel Buoys", chapter 14 of The Tale of Genji.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Books
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Gold, silver togidashimaki-e, hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, cut-out gold foil application
Dimensions: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 9 in. (22.9 cm); D. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Object Number: 14.40.875a–g
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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