A fine gold-lacquer two-tiered jubako (picnic box) and cover


By Hotokusai Kakushu, Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1900The simulated mokume (wood-grain pattern) ground lacquered in gold togidashi maki-e and inset with several trompe-l'oeil clam shells with the surface 'scooped out' and built up to accommodate the interiors enclosing different bird-and-flower scenes including a pair of pheasants besides peonies and an egret standing by lotus flowers, and figures scenes including Chapter 24, Kocho (Butterflies) from Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji) and Chapter 9, Yatsuhashi (The Eight-Span bridge) from the Ise monogatari (The Tales of Ise), decorated in takamaki-e, kirikane and togidashi maki-e, imitating those painted on the shells used in the courtly shell-matching game, the inside of the cover and top detachable tray depicting autumnal plants of fuyo (rose mallow) and chrysanthemums, as well as spring plants of dandelions and horsetails embellished in gold takamaki-e, the inside remaining undecorated areas of rich nashiji; signed on the base in gold lacquer Hotokusai Kakushu with a kao. 13.3cm x 19.7cm x 16.2cm (5¼in x 7¾in x 6 3/8in). (3).
|The artist is recorded by E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Northumberland, Harehope, 1995, p.109.