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Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji

20th century
Not on view
This writing box forms a pair with document box 1981.243.1a–f.. The decoration on the lid continues the story of the sunny spring day depicted on the document box: cranes fly over the blossoming cherry and pine trees, while a boat on the shore waits for its passengers. The insides of both boxes are embellished with autumn grasses by a river. It refers to one of the poems Lady Murasaki composed during the boat party.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 胡蝶蒔絵硯箱
  • Title: Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji
  • Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
  • Date: 20th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Gold lacquer with raised sprinkled design
  • Dimensions: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); L. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
  • Classification: Lacquer
  • Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, from the Collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin DeWitt Riegel, 1981
  • Object Number: 1981.243.2a–m
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Document Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji, Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji and gold ground, Japan
Document Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji
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20th century
Two-tiered box with Oribe glaze, Suzuki Gorō Japanese, Stoneware with iron-oxide and coppergreen overglaze decoration and gold lacquer repairs (Oribe ware), Japan
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