Artwork Page for Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

Details / Information for Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

1800s

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Medium
lacquered wood with gold maki-e, silver inlay, and red lacquer on black ground
Measurements
23 x 20.2 cm (9 1/16 x 7 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1969.59.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

For many Japanese patrons, objects decorated with images of foreigners offered the rare opportunity to see westerners. The two men on the left were likely Portuguese traders, identifiable by their balloon-shaped pants. The man on the right is a Jesuit priest. Portuguese traders arrived in Japan in 1543 and soon after Christian missionaries began to create outposts there. By the early 17th century, Christianity was outlawed and the Portuguese were forced out of Japan. This object was created during the short period when the Portuguese were allowed in Japan.

Writing Box (Suzuribako) with Europeans

1800s

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