Writing Box with Yellow Rose Flowers and Rushing Stream

18th century

Not on view

The lid of this box is decorated with yellow kerria rose blossoms (yamabuki ) in arching sprays with bright green leaves. These flowers are associated with the Ide no Tamagawa (Jewel River) near Kyoto, a link that may have been formed after the respected poet and official Tachibana no Moroe (684–757)planted them on the banks of the river. The Ide no Tamagawa has long been featured in Japanese poetry:

The bottom of the Tama River at Ide
Reflecting the image above,
Is so clear that flowers of the
Yellow kerria add layer upon layer

Fujiwara no Shunzei (1114–1204)

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

江戸時代山吹蒔絵硯箱
Title: Writing Box with Yellow Rose Flowers and Rushing Stream
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Black lacquer with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e and cutout gold foil application
Dimensions: 2 In. (5.1 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm); D. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Object Number: 14.40.832a–m
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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