Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji

second half of the 19th century

Not on view

The cover and inside tray illustrate a famous Noh play based in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries. In the play, the emperor receives an oracle in a dream and the famous sword maker Kokaji forges a sword with the help of a Shinto deity. This deity appears as a fox; however, on the cover of the box, both figures are shown in human form. An inscription on the bottom of the box indicates that it was produced in the style of Koma Kansai II (1767–1835) by one of the many artists who worked in this tradition and often used the name of the original master.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

明治時代古満派　小鍛冶蒔絵香箱
Title: Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji
Artist: Koma School (Japanese)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: second half of the 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e
Dimensions: H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); L. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Object Number: 36.100.160a–c
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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