19th c. Japanese Meiji Period Lacquer Tanzaku-Bako or Poem Slip Box.

15 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches.

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This elegant long box was created to store poem slips or tanzaku. The viewing of new blossoms in spring and the changing colors of autumn was accompanied by the contemplation of classical poetry by aristocratic Japanese. Their expression of this refined art form was later suspended from tree branches in celebration of traditional aesthetics and a reaffirmation of cultural identity. (See photo of folding screen: “Autumn Maples with Poem Slips” by Tosa Mitsuoki c. 1675. Art Institute of Chicago)

This raised gold lacquer design of folding hand fans(ougi) punctuated by silver pins is called suehiro. This is an auspicious expression of good fortune with the expanding fans representing the opening of future opportunities. They are decorated with a series of landscapes, peonies(wealth), a Buddhist temple and a pair of quails(uzara) known as a symbol of courage and victory in battle.

There is also a reference to the most famous poet of Edo era Japan, Matsuo Bashō(1644-94) in the form of two figures seen dressed as butterflies. In the spring of 1690, Bashō awoke to write a haiku - “kimi ya cho ware ya Souji ga yumegokoro” (You are a butterfly, I am Zhuangzi, But am I dreaming?). This recalled a well-known story by Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi(Japanese Souji): One evening, he was dreaming that he was a butterfly. When he awoke, he did not know whether he really was a man who dreamt that he was a butterfly, or a butterfly now dreaming he was a man. There is also a small butterfly with inlaid abalone shell(raden) to the side of the box.

The inside shows a powerful mountain waterfall(yama no taki) within a sprinkled gold ground symbolizing purity, life, energy and otherworldly strength.

A testament to the importance of this box, it includes the original collectors storage box in black lacquer.