Uono Jisei. Accessory Box (Tebako) with Whirlpool Design. 1941. lacquer | wood | pewter. Funds from John & Carson Taylor, Wann Caron, Ronald Otsuka and Asian Art Association members in honor of the Asian Art Association's thirtieth anniversary. 2011.348A-B.

height: 7.5 in, 19.0500 cm; width: 11 in, 27.9400 cm; depth: 14.75 in, 37.4650 cm

Jisei Saku

Arts of Asia

Arts of Asia

Accessory Box (Tebako) with Whirlpool Design by Uono Jisei, (1883-?) Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture 1941, Showa period Lacquer and pewter Funds from the Asian Art Association in honor of its thirtieth anniversary 2011.348 Born in Ishikawa prefecture, Uono Jisei made this box for the Ministry of Education New Exhibition (Shin Bunten) held in 1941. The pear-skin (nashiji) lacquer ground of the box was inlaid with pewter to form a stylized whirlpool design. Jisei transformed the natural swirls of water into a vortex pattern that wraps around the exterior of the box and its cover.

Either 2008 or 2009-2011, Kaigedo Japanese Art, Seattle WA, acquired at auction in Japan ; 2011, DAM collection, museum purchase.