Incense box with guri pattern

16th century

Not on view

Kamakura carving (Kamakura-bori) originated in the Muromachi period (1392–1573), when Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China. Several Zen monasteries and temples were constructed in Kamakura during this period and Buddhist statues, artifacts as well as temple furniture were carved by skilled craftsmen often inspired by Chinese examples. They refined and further developed the techniques which involve the application of layers of black and red lacquer on the finely carved wooden surface. The Japanese artists created sophisticated copies of the painstakingly made Chinese carved lacquers, built up from numerous layers of lacquer. This round box (kōgō) was made to hold incense used in Buddhist rituals. The patterns are based on the Chinese stylized scrolls of sword-pommel shape (guri). The rendering of the motifs and the carving style reveal that the box was made by a Japanese artist.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

屈輪文鎌倉彫香合
Title: Incense box with guri pattern
Period: Muromachi (1392–1573)–Momoyama (1573–1615) period
Date: 16th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Carved wood with red and black lacquer (Kamakura-bori)
Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2020
Object Number: 2020.323.4a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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