19th Century Japanese Lacquer Book Boxes at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

As I work at the Museum, I've naturally scanned the collections for book objects. There aren't many and they aren't easy to find. They represent an interesting and diverse group from the departments of Asian Art, American Decorative Arts, Musical Instruments and European Sculpture and Decorative arts. Only one is on view at this time, so I thought I'd introduce you to these two lovely lacquer objects that are not on view, but are in the collection of the Department of Asian Art. 

Incense Container (Kōgō ) in the Form of a Closed Book, with the title “Hana no En” 

(Festival of the Cherry Blossoms), Chapter 8 of The Tale of Genji

Period: Edo period (1615–1868)

Date: 19th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Lacquer on wood with shell appliqué, powdered gold and silver

Dimensions: H. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); L. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. George A. Crocker (Elizabeth Masten), 1937

Accession Number: 38.25.184a, b

Not currently on view

The design of this box imitates a book. Suspended from a branch of the tree is a poem-card (tanzaku) bearing a verse from "The Festival of Cherry Blossoms," Chapter 8 of The Tale of Genji.

Box in the Shape of an Open Illustrated Book

Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)

Date: late 19th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Lacquer on wood with powdered gold

Dimensions: H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)

Classification: Lacquer

Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
Not currently on view