“Kōrin Makie” pair of writing boxes 硯箱 suzuribako | Leaves, falcon / boat under willow | 18th century

Maki e is a 1,200-year-old Chinese painting technique that was considerably refined in Japan in the 16th century: a motif is painted on a lacquer base and, while the lacquer is still wet, sprinkled with gold dust. Maki e literally means "scattered images." A major innovator of this lacquer painting technique was Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716), who, based on the work of his predecessor Tawaraya Sōtatsu (early 17th century), created an original new craft tradition. Since his death, his style has been called Rinpa . The term is composed of “Rin” from his name (Kō rin ) and the term pa (or “ha”), which means “school”, thus: Ogata Kōrin School.

The Rinpa masters, who subsequently included important painters and   Craftsmen of various disciplines continued the exclusive aesthetic tradition into the 20th century. This pair of boxes was created by an unverifiable craftsman in the 18th century. The larger box houses the stationery, while the smaller box contains writing utensils such as an inkstone and a water jug for preparing ink.

The designs of the large and small boxes are related, but not identical: a hawk sits on a branch with withering autumn leaves (which is expressed as an aesthetic punchline with precious mother-of-pearl!) and looks at leaves, some of which have holes eaten by insects – here too, the punchline: in precious maki e gold application!

On the inside of the lid of this masculine falcon-themed piece, we find a sentimental feminine mood: a magnificently sprawling willow towers over a riverbank, sheltering a docked (love) boat. Weeping willows are not sad in Japan, but rather a symbol of the grace and charm of beautiful maidens who might board the boat. Here, too, mother-of-pearl is used in the roof of the boat. The willow branches with small buds are exceptionally delicately designed.