Table and Writing Set

19th century

Not on view

Lacquer objects are often depicted on luxurious, limited-edition New Year’s greeting cards (surimono). This print shows a small, red lacquer, maki-e decorated writing table with an unbrushed poem card (tanzaku) placed on it. Next to the table is a lacquer writing box. On the outside, it is decorated with gold and silver chrysanthemum maki-e, while the inside is red lacquer. It contains an inkstone, a water-dropper, an ink stick, and three brushes. The brushes are very fine, suitable for tanzaku calligraphy. The poems reveal that these are accoutrements to be used for practicing the “first calligraphy” (kakizome) of the year.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Table and Writing Set
Artist: Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 8 3/16 x 7 1/8 in. (20.8 x 18.1 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1985
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Two Actors; a Scene from the Soga Play, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Actors; a Scene from the Soga Play
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Various moths and butterflies, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Various moths and butterflies
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Pipe and Tobacco Pouch
From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Pipe and Tobacco Pouch From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1
Kubo Shunman
ca. 1810s

Court Woman at her Desk with Poem Cards, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Court Woman at her Desk with Poem Cards
Kubo Shunman
1795 (Year of the Rabbit)

Courtesan with Client before a Tokonoma Alcove, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Courtesan with Client before a Tokonoma Alcove
Kubo Shunman
1798

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