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Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Pine, Camellia, and Bamboo
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Japanese writing boxes are designed to hold all the tools for traditional calligraphy, including an inkstone, water dropper, ink cake, and brushes. This box retains its inkstone and water dropper, the latter of which has a design of camellia and pine, matching the late winter, early spring lacquer motifs on the lid.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineWriting Box (Suzuribako) with Pine, Camellia, and Bamboo (松椿竹蒔絵硯箱), 1400s. Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573). Lacquered wood with gold and silver sprinkled powder (maki-e), stone, and metal; overall: 24.2 x 22.6 cm (9 1/2 x 8 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund, 1969.124
