Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from “His Perfumed Highness” (Niou no Miya), chapter 42
Incense Box (Kōbako) with Scene from “His Perfumed Highness” (Niou no Miya), chapter 42 of the Tale of GenjiPeriod: Edo period (1615–1868)Date: 19th centuryCulture: JapanMedium: Gold maki-e on lacquered woodDimensions: H. 2 in. (5.1 cm W. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm L. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)A poem voiced by the troubled man, and written above him within stylized clouds, reads: Obotsukana tare ni towamashi Ikanishite hajimemo hatemo shiranu wagami zo (Whom might I ask? Why must it be that I do not know the beginning or the end?) -- source link
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