Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from 'His Perfumed Highness' (Niou no Miya), chapter 42 of the Tale of Genji, Edo period (1615–1868), 19th century, Japan, Gold maki-e on lacquered wood, H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); L. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm), Lacquer, The lid of this box is made of two interlocking seashells illustrating a chapter of the Tale of Genji. Publicly recognized as Genji's son, Kaoru has doubts about the circumstances of his birth. A poem voiced by the troubled man, and written above him within stylized clouds, reads: Obotsukana tare ni towamashi Ikanishite hajimemo hatemo shiranu wagami zo (Whom might I ask? Why must it be that I do not know the beginning or the end?) —trans
Keywords:
Incense Box, Kōbako, Scene, Perfumed Highness, Niou no Miya, chapter 42, Tale, Genji, Edo period, 1615–1868, 19th century, Japan, Gold maki-e, lacquered wood, H, 2, 5.1 cm, W, 2 7/8, 7.3, L, 5 1/8, 13, Lacquer, lid, box, two interlocking, seashells, illustrating, chapter, Publicly recognized, son, Kaoru, doubts, circumstances, birth, poem voiced, troubled man, written, within stylized, clouds, reads, Obotsukana tare, ni, towamashi, Ikanishite, hajimemo hatemo, shiranu, wagami zo, Whom might, I, ask?, Why, must, I do, know, —trans
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