Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant

Japan

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 224

The exterior of the lid of this writing box depicts one of the most famous poets and statesmen in Chinese history, Su Dongpo (1037–1101), also known as Su Shi. He rides a donkey, referencing a story in which he borrowed a farmer’s simple clothes in rainy weather. This box was embellished by burnishing sprinkled gold and silver powders (togidashimaki-e) to achieve a smooth surface and a painterly composition.

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan

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Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan
Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Chinese Poet Su Dongpo and Attendant, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, and red togidashimaki-e, Japan

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