Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from The Tale of Genji

second half of 19th century

Not on view

This incense box in the shape of two interlocking shells imitates the painted clamshells used in the shell-matching game (kai-awase). The scene here refers to Chapter 42, “The Fragrant Prince” (Nioumiya). Publicly recognized as Genji’s son, Kaoru has doubts about the circumstances of his birth. A poem voiced by him is inscribed in fine gold lines within stylized clouds:

Whom might I ask?
Why must it be
that I do not know
the beginning
or the end?

—Translation by Edward G. Seidensticker

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

合貝形源氏蒔絵香箱
Title: Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from The Tale of Genji
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: second half of 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, cutout gold- and silver-foil application
Dimensions: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); L. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. George A. Crocker (Elizabeth Masten), 1937
Object Number: 38.25.158a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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