Decorative Arts | 16th–19th century
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Bunko (Box for books and other items), Design of a maple tree in maki-e lacquer, By Hara Yoyusai, Edo period, 19th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 8
July 21, 2020 (Tue) - October 18, 2020 (Sun)From the late 16th century, changes in society helped artisans to develop the decorative arts. In the Azuchi–Momoyama period (1573–1603), samurai warlords united Japan after more than a century of fighting. The following Edo period (1603–1868) saw economic growth under a new samurai government, with merchants and other people gaining the wealth to buy art.
Potters succeeded in making Japan's first porcelain in the early 17th century. Methods for decorating porcelain and other ceramics then became more diverse, as shown by works with gold, silver, and color enamels. Meanwhile, textiles saw rapid technical advances. The loom was improved to make complex weaves possible, while dyeing became as detailed and expressive as painting.
Items like furniture and dining sets were coated with lacquer and decorated with metal powders, most often gold. Lacquer workers refined this technique, called maki–e, and combined it with new materials for more elaborate designs. Metalworkers also began using a wider variety of base metals and alloys, creating works with greater detail and precision.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | ”Bunko” (Box for books and other items), Design of a maple tree in [maki-e] lacquer | By Hara Yoyusai (1769-1845) | Edo period, 19th century | H-4623 | |||
| Highlight | "Koshimaki" （Summer garment), Treasures design on reddish-black plain weave ground with glossed weft | Edo period, 19th century | I-824 | On exhibit through August 16, 2020 | |||
| Highlight | Summer Robe ("Hitoe") with a House, Feathered Fan, Straw Hat and Raincoat, Spear and Halberd, and Snowscape | Reportedly used by Onjōin, wife of Mochitsugu, the 14th generation head of the Kishū-Tokugawa clan | Edo period, 19th century | I-1401 | On exhibit from August 18, 2020 | ||
| Handled Mirror with Ripe Rice Plants | Inscribed “Nishimura Bungo no Jo Fujiwara Masashige” | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Mr. Tokugawa Yorisada E-18041 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Tiered Box with Handle, Dragon and wave design in underglaze blue | By Aoki Mokubei (1767-1833) | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Mr. Kasagi Toru G-5293 | ||
| Water Jar with a Lotus | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5854 |