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Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia (inkstone and water dropper)
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Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia (inkstone and water dropper)

c. 1573–99 · Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold and silver powder (maki-e) and gold and silver foil application

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The only place the mythical phoenix will perch is in the paulownia tree. Along with the dragon, the bird is a symbol of imperial power in East Asia. This box––a container for an inkstone, brushes, and ink––is both functional and lavish, its dramatic effects achieved with a pear-skin ground decoration ( nashiji ) and sprinkled powder decoration in high relief ( takamaki-e ).

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineWriting Box (Suzuribako) with Phoenix in Paulownia (inkstone and water dropper), c. 1573–99. Japan, Momoyama period (1573–1615). Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold and silver powder (maki-e) and gold and silver foil application; 4 x 20.5 x 23.5 cm (1 9/16 x 8 1/16 x 9 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, 2016.34.c
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