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

Japan

Not on view

This lavishly decorated document box demonstrates the skill of a Meiji-period maki-e master. It is decorated with flowering cherry trees, a young willow tree, and a pleasure boat carrying a large gagaku drum for water music, as described in chapter 24 of The Tale of Genji. Genji, Lady Murasaki, and several courtiers set out for a spring boat party accompanied by musicians, and later exchange poems in celebration of the season.

Part of a set with 1981.243.2(a-m)

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

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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, Lacquered wood with gold and silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, togidashimaki-e, cut-out gold foil on nashiji and gold ground, Japan

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