Suzuribako (writing box) in lacquer and chō (butterfly) decoration with gold powder and mother-of-pearl

Rectangular suzuribako writing box of Japanese craftsmanship in wood and very deep and shiny urushi lacquer from Wajima on which has been applied a delightful decoration of butterfly (chō, symbol of transformation, lightness and soul in Japanese culture) and autumn grasses (akikusa, symbols of the ephemeral beauty of autumn evoking melancholy and contemplation). These motifs were made with the technique of hira-maki-e (flat patterns made by sprinkling gold powder on a thin layer of lacquer, then polished for a smooth surface) and the technique of raden, mother-of-pearl inlay (in the wings of the butterfly). Some of the grasses were made with the technique of nashiji, sprinkling of gold.

This box consists of 3 parts: the bottom, the lid and a subadai, a similarly lacquered wooden "board" that is usually used to protect calligraphy items during transport. This is a unique copy dating from the Heisei era (1989 - 2019), in perfect condition, accompanied by its protective box made of paulownia wood (tomobako) and a protective fabric (tomonuno) turmeric. The craftsman's seal is affixed to the cover of the protective box.

Suzurikabo (硯箱) are ink boxes (bako) (suzuri), traditionally used to gather and store in the same place all the instruments used for calligraphy (except the paper, which is kept in another box, the ryōshibako). They therefore usually contain an ink stone, brushes, an ink stick, a dropper, and a brush rest. Beyond their primary use, they are exceptional and precious decorative objects in which treasures can be slipped.

Wajima lacquerware, or Wajima-nuri, is one of the most renowned in Japan, particularly appreciated for its depth, durability and sophistication. The Noto Peninsula, where Wajima City is located, was hit by a terrible earthquake on January 1, 2024, and many lacquer artisans lost their tools of work. We hope that the invaluable legacy of these skills will continue, even if it will take time to rebuild everything.