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Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi

Yukio Yukio II Japanese

early 20th century

Not on view

In the Noh play Takasago, the Takasago and Sumiyoshi pine spirits are personified as an elderly couple, wearing humble dress. With its well-known symbol of matrimonial happiness, this writing set was likely made as a wedding gift. The Tokyo-based maki-e master Yukio Yukio II was awarded a gold medal for his lacquer work at the 1900 Paris World Exposition.

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi, Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929), Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings, Japan

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Table and writing box

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Table only

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Writing box

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Box

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Cover

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Box

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Cover

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2代由木尾雪雄作

Title: Writing Box (Suzuribako) and Writing Table (Bundai) with Pines at Takasago and Sumiyoshi

Artist: Yukio Yukio II (Japanese, 1860–1929)

Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)

Date: early 20th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji ground, silver inlay, silver fittings

Dimensions: Writing box: H. 2 in.; W. 9 in.; L. 9 3/4 in.
Table: H. 4 7/8 in.; W.14 1/2 in.; L. 24 in.

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015

Object Number: 2015.500.2.54a–o

Chronology

Japan, 1900 A.D.-present

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