Autumnal grasses in hira-maki-e slightly obscure the inlayed silver calligraphic character of “Moon” rising in the darkness beyond on this Rimpa inspired Suzuri Bako writing box by Kamisaka Yukichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Maki-e Suzuribako. The appearance of an imperial Chrysanthemum crest indicates this was likely Sagarimono, an Imperial Gift. It features a large Suzuri writing stone inset into the interior accompanied by a large silver suiteki weighing 84 grams. A silk bound pillow protects the inside. The box is 26 x 23.5 x 5.5 cm (10-1/4 x 9-1/2 x 2 inches) and the lacquer is in overall excellent condition. There is some bubbling in the surface of the suzu (pewter) rim that encases the edges (see close-up photos for details.
Kamisaka Yukichi 1886-1938 was the younger brother of Kamisaka Sekka Yukichi was a pupil of Tomita Kōichi. Both Yukichi and his brother Sekka were been heavily inspired by the Rimpa style As a lacquer artist he produced several of Sekka’s designs. Five works by him are held in the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art.
