Incense box

Maker(s)
Artist: Dogyoku
Historical period(s)
Edo period or Meiji era, late 18th century
Medium
Lacquer, gold, silver, shell, and wood
Dimensions
H x W x D: 11.3 x 10.6 x 11.3 cm (4 7/16 x 4 3/16 x 4 7/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1954.118a-d
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Container, Lacquer
Type

Incense box

Keywords
bird, cherry blossom, Edo period (1615 - 1868), flower, incense, Japan, landscape, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), spring
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

The hills of Yoshino, in the southern part of Yamato Province (modern Nara Prefecture, were beloved for their scenic beauty and a frequent subject of Japanese poetry. This two-tiered lacquer incense container with a matching small tray is decorated on all sides with a landscape of the hills of Yoshino with its cherry trees in full bloom in spring. The exquisite decoration is executed in gold and silver powder and leaf and a few minute pieces of inlaid iridescent shell. Gold leaf is cut to the shapes of flower petals or to more geometric shapes and placed individually on the lacquer surface.

Published References
  • Ann Yonemura. Japanese Lacquer. Washington, 1979. cat. 14, p. 30.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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