Page 97 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

37
Ogawa Haritsu (1663 -1747)
Writing-paper box and writing box with
dragonfly design

Second quarter of eighteenth century
Lacquer on wood with makie
Writing-paper box: 12.7 x 40 x 30.8
3
(5 x 15 /4 x 12 Vs)
Writing box: 4.4 x 25.5 x 16.7
3
5
(l / 4 XIOX6 /8 )
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo
9 6 Illustrated page 53
• Ogawa Haritsu's virtuosity shines in
his lacquerwork. The butterflies and
dragonflies on these two boxes cover
not only the lid but the sides as well.
36 (writing box not shown) Their, lifelike depictions, in varied
materials and colors, are juxtaposed
against a flat-patterned background,
which creates a tension between motif
and ground. A few of the butterflies and
36 work for the Tsugaru lord Nobutoshi dragonflies actually overlap the upper
Ogawa Haritsu (1663 -1747) in the most northern and remote area and lower sections of the boxes, in
Writing-paper box and writing box with of Japan. The Tsugaru, leading patrons effect unifying the two pieces. The
shell design of the arts, also employed Ogata Kórin insects generally appear to be flying
(see cat. 29). toward the center of the lids.
Second quarter of eighteenth century
Lacquer on wood with makie Haritsu's unique lacquerwork might The butterfly is a traditional symbol
Writing-paper box: 14.5 x 40.5 x 31.3 have been based on Ming-dynasty of summer and joy, whereas the
(5 3/4x16x12 3/ 8) prototypes. He often combined dragonfly is a fall insect and has often
5
5
Writing box: 5x24.5x22 (2X9 /8x8 /8) ceramic, lead, tin, ivory, sheet metal, been used as a symbol for Japan. The
Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo and agate in inlays that he made as dragonfly can be seen as early as the
lifelike as possible by employing the Yayoi period (c. 200 BC-AD 250), cast
• Ogawa Haritsu worked in a strikingly high-relief takamakie technique. Allu- as decoration on large metal bells. It
original style in a variety of media. In sions or parody (mitate) and natural- became linked with the warrior class
addition to lacquerwork, he created istic depictions (shasei) were beginning during the Kamakura period, mostly
paintings, screens, and inrô, as well as to come into vogue, and Haritsu because it moved quickly and had
poetry. Born in Ise, he moved to Edo, capitalized on the trend. His novel a voracious appetite for small bugs.
where he studied poetry with the approach and his choice of unusual The dragonfly was used at that time
famous haiku artist Matsuo Bashô themes can be seen on these two to decorate arrows and other military
(1644-1694). He began to lead a life of boxes with shell designs. objects. NCR
dissipation, however, and soon came The writing-paper box has chamfered
to financial ruin. Indeed the first char-
corners, while the corners of the writing
acter of the name "Haritsu," which he box are rounded. Trays nestled into
took during this period, refers to his the latter were used to store writing
intemperance. He was fifty when he supplies. The lids were decorated in
gained renown as a lacquer artist, and
the makie technique, with shells and
sixty-one in 1723 when he began to
seaweed inlaid in clay, lead, and tin.
On the lids there are clay seals of the
word ritsLtô (old [Hajritsu) and the
character kan (seal). Haritsu became
one of the most celebrated lacquer
workers in Edo. NCR