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Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji

Koma School Japanese

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.

Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji, Koma School (Japanese), Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e, Japan — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji, Koma School (Japanese), Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e, Japan

Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji, Koma School (Japanese), Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e, Japan

Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji, Koma School (Japanese), Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e, Japan

Incense Box with Scene from Noh Play Kokaji, Koma School (Japanese), Black lacquer with gold, silver, and red hiramaki-e and togidashimaki-e, Japan

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

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

Accession Number: 36.100.160a–c

Chronology

Japan, 1800-1900 A.D.

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