Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Woodcutter 18th or early 19th century In the style of Hon'ami K?etsu Japanese Both the image of a rustic figure carrying a load of kindling and the rounded box lid on which it appears are based on a lacquer writing box attributed to the noted calligrapher and potter Hon’ami K?etsu (1558–1637). K?etsu is recognized as one of the founders of the Rinpa movement, which drew inspiration from traditional Japanese literature. The motif of the woodcutter was often repeated in lacquers and may allude to chapter 48 of The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), in which a former

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Woodcutter 18th or early 19th century In the style of Hon'ami K?etsu Japanese Both the image of a rustic figure carrying a load of kindling and the rounded box lid on which it appears are based on a lacquer writing box attributed to the noted calligrapher and potter Hon’ami K?etsu (1558–1637). K?etsu is recognized as one of the founders of the Rinpa movement, which drew inspiration from traditional Japanese literature. The motif of the woodcutter was often repeated in lacquers and may allude to chapter 48 of The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), in which a former teacher sends shoots of bracken fern (warabi) to Nakanokimi, the bride of Genji’s grandson Niou; to a Noh play referring to a poet of ancient times who meets a woodcutter in the mountains; or, perhaps, to both. Whatever the precise inspiration, the K?etsu design was copied by lacquer artists in subsequent centuries and became one of the most popular Rinpa design motifs for lacquer writing boxes and inr?. The Metropolitan Museum has no fewer than four lacquer writing boxes with the same design, demonstrating how motifs were transmitted from generation to generation by direct copying and by the study of woodblock-printed drawing manuals of Rinpa Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Woodcutter. In the style of Hon'ami K?etsu (Japanese, 1558–1637). Japan. 18th or early 19th century. Gold maki-e on black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay. Edo period (1615–1868). Lacquer

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