Miniature Inrō with Design of Firewood-laden Boats on Waves

copied from a design by Hon'ami Kōetsu Japanese

19th century

Not on view

The small boats that plied the misty waters of the Uji River often appear in Japanese classical literature as images of rusticity and human vulnerability. They are a potent and recurring motif in the later chapters of the Tale of Genji. This miniature is copied from a design by the Rimpa artist Kōetsu, who took such unmistakable literary references and distilled them into striking forms.

Artwork Details

Title: Miniature Inrō with Design of Firewood-laden Boats on Waves
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891)
Artist: copied from a design by Hon'ami Kōetsu (Japanese, 1558–1637)
Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Gold maki-e with mother-of-pearl inlay on black lacquer; netsuke of hardwood with cloisonne
Dimensions: H.1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification: Inrō
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.44
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Hon'ami Kōetsu

By Shibata Zeshin

From the same time and place

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Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse), Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Roiro (waxen) lacquer with black hiramakie sprinkled and polished lacquer and takamakie sprinkled and polished lacquer relief; Interior: roiro; Netsuke: lacquer in shape of a worn ink stick; Ojime: black lacquer bead, Japan — Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse)
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Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, color, takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, Japan — Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet
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Rising Sun, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — Rising Sun
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Village among Rocks, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Colored lacquers on paper, Japan — Village among Rocks
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