Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper sprinkles and the exterior has the pear skin nashiji ground. The box also contains the writing box (Suzuribako) decorated with the Uji bridge and Sakura tree blossom overhang unto the low relief rendering of the bridge. The silver spray on the bridge is in good condition. Inside are the fitted implements: ink stone (suzuri), water dropper (suiteki), and wooden ink stick holder (sumi-basami). The concaved dip allows for the containment of brushes. The box is finished with a copper nashiji ground consistent to the set. Has its original Tomobako box.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16 ¼” x 13” x 5”