Writing box (suzuribako), early 19th century
Hara Yōyūsaiexpand_more
Lacquer on wood with gold, lead and mother-of-pearlexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more 2001.70.1a-i
Not on Viewexpand_more
For this writing box, the renowned lacquer artist Yōyūsai was inspired by a poem that occurs in the 9th century Tales of Ise, attributed to the courtier Ariwara Narihira (depicted on the cover of the box). When the protagonist of the story (possibly Narihira himself) comes upon a marsh of blossoming irises, he composes a poem beginning each line with a syllable from the Japanese word for iris (kakitsubata):
Karogoromo I have a beloved wife
Kitsutsu narenishi Familiar as the skirt
Tsuma shi areba Of a well-worn robe
Harubaru kinuru And so, this distant journeying
Tabi o shi zo omou. Fills my heart with grief.
Details
- Title
- Writing box (suzuribako)
- Artist Life
- 1772 - 1845
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.70.1a-i
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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