Rare Japanese lacquered letter box with beautiful raised maki-e maple trees, river and mountains. The scene is from the 'hyaku isshu' the classic 101 ancient great poems. The poem referred to in this poem is by the venerated Ariwara no Narihara. In the upper right hand corner of the box is the kanji with the first line of the poem, "Chihaya Furu Kamiyo" The river in the lower right hand corner has the last line of the poem, "Kuguru To Wa". Basically the poem says that in the ancient mystical age when only gods lived, to see the Tatsuta River dyed crimson red with maple leaves in a shibori pattern was something even the gods themselves could never see. The makie is executed perfectly with stunning maple leaves and a red flow of the imagination in the middle. A collector's piece. $1200. (h:44cm x w:34cm x d:13cm). Shipping/insurance to usa or western europe $95.

Asian Antiques
Asian Decorative Arts