Early-Mid Edo Period (17-18th c.)／Lacquered wood
H 5.0 cm, W 24.8 cm, D 26.3 cm
SUMMARY
The entire surface of this piece uses methods such as maki-e, kirikane (in which small pieces of metal are affixed), and hyomon (a lacquerware technique in which patterns are cut into metal and adhered). The surface of the lid features four deer and autumn flowers such as chrysanthemums and bush clovers. The image continues from the back of the lid to the front of the lid and container. The design of this piece expresses the meaning of a waka poem by Mibu no Tadamine from the Kokin Wakashu, a collection of Japanese poetry: “In a mountain village/The autumn, especially,/Is lonely./The braying of the deer/Continually awakens me.” It is considered to be a fine piece which combines literary poetic sentiment and the decorativeness of maki-e.
ARTIST
Igarashi School
The Igarashi School is a famous school of maki-e artisans that continued since the Muromachi Period and was as acclaimed as the Koami School. The school artisans worked for the Maeda family in Kaga Domain in the Edo Period and established the foundation of the Kaga maki-e. However, it is unknown when Igarashi Shinsai (the founder of the Igarashi School) and Doho (the second generation of the school) were born and died, and thus the details of the school during the Muromachi Period have not been clarified yet. The works from the Edo Period show their detailed techniques including kirikane (cut metal), kanagai (inlaid metal sheet), raden (inlaid mother of pearl), and ginbyo (silver studding), which represent the classic-style design characterized by its sophisticated and detailed design.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Friday, October 8 - Sunday, November 14, 2021
From the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection: “THIS IS JAPAN” Eternal Japanese Art Oita Art Museum (Oita, Japan)
Sunday, August 25 - Sunday, September 29, 2019
This Is Japan In Kyoto From The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection The Museum of Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
EXPLORE
You can search and browse content on a platform across museums and archival institutions nationwide, and create My Gallery (online exhibition).
