Suzuribako (Japanese writing box) lacquer and gold, akikusa (autumn plants) decoration by Zōhiko

This suzuribako (Japanese writing box) in black urushi lacquer was created by Zōhiko (a prestigious lacquerware house founded in Kyōto in 1661), under the direction of its ninth-generation master, Hikobei Nishimura. Its akikusa (autumn plants) decoration, composed of flowers and grasses in maki-e (gold powder decoration), unfolds over a black lacquer of great depth and luster. The finesse of the design, the delicate variations in color, and the mastery of the composition bear witness to the exceptional craftsmanship of this historic house.

The Artisan
Founded in 1661 in Kyōto during the Edo period, the Zōhiko house is among the oldest and most prestigious of Japanese lacquerware houses. Its name refers to its emblem, the elephant, associated with a creation by the third master of the Nishimura lineage. Passed down through the generations, the house earned its reputation through its creations intended for the Imperial Court, its art objects, and its refined maki-e decorations. The ninth Hikobei Nishimura, who took over its direction in 1965, perpetuated this legacy through the production of traditional objects and the preservation of ancient Kyōto lacquer techniques. Under his leadership, Zōhiko participated in the lacquer work for the throne of the new Imperial Palace in Tōkyō.

Decoration and Techniques
The lid features an akikusa motif, a classic theme in Japanese decorative arts bringing together various autumn flowers and plants. The composition combines kikyō (Japanese bellflowers) with star-shaped blue and gold corollas, kiku (chrysanthemums) with pinkish-red petals, ominaeshi (golden lace) with small bouquets of golden flowers, hagi (bush clover) branches, and susuki (Japanese pampas grass) whose long leaves draw fine curves across the composition.

The motifs are spread freely across the surface, without rigid symmetry. The curves of the susuki connect the various bouquets and give the ensemble an impression of lightness and movement. In the Japanese tradition, akikusa evoke the fleeting beauty of the seasons and a sensitivity to the transformations of nature.

The decoration is executed in maki-e, a technique consisting of applying gold powder onto lacquer to form motifs. The flowers and foliage combine gold powders with pigmented lacquers in shades of greyish-blue and red, with a very slight relief that enriches the surface variations. The ominaeshi flowers are created in nashiji (fine gold particles scattered in the lacquer), a technique that gives them a delicate shimmer and a texture subtly contrasted with the other motifs.

The black lacquer, of great depth, features a particularly meticulous mirror finish. Its perfectly smooth and brilliant surface reflects light with great clarity, while offering a beautiful contrast with the gold and the colors of the decor. This quality of finish relies on demanding work in the application and polishing of urushi lacquer, characteristic of the expertise of the Zōhiko house. A thin silver rim highlights the edges of the lid and the body.

Form and Usage
This suzuribako is a box traditionally intended for the practice of Japanese calligraphy. It is typically used to hold the instruments necessary for writing, notably the inkstone, the water dropper, brushes, and other small accessories used to prepare ink. Beyond its utilitarian function, it belongs to a long tradition of lacquer objects where the quality of execution and refinement of the decor also make them pieces for contemplation. Its lid is in the kabusebuta (overlapping lid) style, slightly wider than the body of the box, over which its sides fit.

Presentation
This suzuribako comes with its original tomobako (wooden storage box), bearing the calligraphed inscription of the Zōhiko house and its seal, as well as the mention "Suzuribako." It is secured with a sanadahimo (woven cord) and accompanied by a shiori (information document) from the Zōhiko house. The elephant emblem, the house's distinctive mark, also appears under the suzuribako.

Place of Manufacture
Japan, Kyōto

Period
Heisei era (1989-2019)

Dimensions
Length 24.6 cm - Width 22.4 cm - Height 4.5 cm

Weight
Box with presentation elements: 1.2 kg

Materials
Wood, urushi lacquer, gold powder, colored pigments, silver

Condition
Very good condition.