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MASTERPIECESof Japan
Photograph of Writing Box with Eight Bridges

Writing Box with Eight Bridges

八橋蒔絵螺鈿硯箱

National TreasureWriting box (suzuri-bako) — Edo period

National Treasure

Writing Box with Eight Bridges

八橋蒔絵螺鈿硯箱

Type
Writing box (suzuri-bako)
Period and date
Edo period, 18th century
Artist
Ogata Kōrin
Material
Wood, lacquer, gold, silver, lead, mother-of-pearl
Collection:
Tokyo National Museum

03 — Overview

A writing box by Ogata Kōrin, its design of irises and plank bridges rendered in maki-e and mother-of-pearl, with lead. A National Treasure in the Tokyo National Museum.

04 — Object data

Designation
National TreasureSource ↗
Type
Writing box (suzuri-bako)
Category
Lacquerware
Artist
Ogata Kōrin
Period
Edo period
Date
18th century
Material
Wood, lacquer, gold, silver, lead, mother-of-pearl
Technique
Maki-e, Raden (shell inlay)
Collection
Tokyo National Museum ↗
05 — Detail · WritingBox EightBridges OgataKorin · By HANSHIITI PHOTO Co.,Ltd. · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

10 — Gallery

11 — Maker

尾形光琳

Ogata Kōrin

1658–1716 — Painter and designer

12 — Collection

Tokyo National Museum

Official website ↗

Films

LacquerwareIn Japanese

The craft of maki-e (Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Video title: 「蒔絵―中野孝一のわざ―」

Source: 文化庁　bunkachannel · YouTube ↗

13 — Related objects

Photograph of Irises Screens

Irises Screens

燕子花図屏風

Pair of six-panel folding screens — Edo· National Treasure

Photograph of Writing Box with Pontoon Bridge

Writing Box with Pontoon Bridge

舟橋蒔絵硯箱

Writing box (suzuri-bako) — Edo· National Treasure

Photograph of Inrō

Inrō

印籠

Inrō — Edo

Photograph of Cosmetic Box with Wheels in Stream

Cosmetic Box with Wheels in Stream

片輪車螺鈿蒔絵手箱

Cosmetic box (tebako) — Heian· National Treasure

14 — Sources & references

  1. [1]
    八橋蒔絵螺鈿硯箱

    文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース · Government · Supports: Designation, Name

  2. [2]
    https://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_collection/index.php?colid=H86&controller=dtl

    Museum · Museum · Supports: Collection, Description

  3. [3]
    Wikidata Q102389647

    Wikidata · Database · Supports: Name, Date, Maker, Collection · Accessed 2026-09-25

  4. [4]
    File:WritingBox EightBridges OgataKorin.JPG

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  5. [5]
    File:Inside of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  6. [6]
    File:Lid of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  7. [7]
    File:Parts of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

15 — Image credits

  1. WritingBox EightBridges OgataKorin

    Creator / Photographer
    HANSHIITI PHOTO Co.,Ltd.
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:WritingBox EightBridges OgataKorin.JPG ↗
    Credit
    Masterpieces of Japan Arts Vol 5th, TOHTO BUNKA KOEKI Co.,Ltd. Tokyo, 1953-09-30
    Licence
    Public domain

  2. Inside of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design

    Creator / Photographer
    Tokyo National Museum
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Inside of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg ↗
    Credit
    ColBase: Integrated Collections Database of the National Museums, Japan: online database: entry tnm/H-86
    Licence
    CC BY 4.0 ↗

  3. Lid of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design

    Creator / Photographer
    Tokyo National Museum
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Lid of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg ↗
    Credit
    ColBase: Integrated Collections Database of the National Museums, Japan: online database: entry tnm/H-86
    Licence
    CC BY 4.0 ↗

  4. Parts of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design

    Creator / Photographer
    Tokyo National Museum
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Parts of Writing Box Yatsuhashi bridge design.jpg ↗
    Credit
    ColBase: Integrated Collections Database of the National Museums, Japan: online database: entry tnm/H-86
    Licence
    CC BY 4.0 ↗
All image credits →