Book Cabinet (Shodansu) for a set of "The Chronicle of Great Peace" (Taiheiki)

18th century

Not on view

This drop-front cabinet was designed to store the forty-two volumes of the Taiheki, a Japanese historical epic written in the late fourteenth century. It tells the story of Emperor Go-Daigo’s accession in 1318, moves through Ashikaga Takauji’s betrayal of the Hōjō clan and Go-Daigo’s fall and expulsion by Takauji in 1333, and culminates with Go-Daigo’s return to Kyoto in 1338. The cabinet has six drawers, with inscriptions indicating which volume belongs to which drawer. The exterior of the cabinet is decorated with autumn grasses and flowers, further embellished with inlaid silver dewdrops. The upper part of the composition depicts clouds and mist (similar to Japanese painting) executed in very fine togidashimaki-e (burnished “sprinkled picture”) with delicate gradations. The edge of the box has stylized foliage designs.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

秋草蒔絵書箪笥
Title: Book Cabinet (Shodansu) for a set of "The Chronicle of Great Peace" (Taiheiki)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Lacquered wood with gold togidashimaki-e, hiramaki-e, and silver inlay; gilt bronze fittings
Dimensions: H. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm); W. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm); L. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm)
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.285.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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