Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji

Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This writing box forms a pair with document box 1981.243.1a–f.. The decoration on the lid continues the story of the sunny spring day depicted on the document box: cranes fly over the blossoming cherry and pine trees, while a boat on the shore waits for its passengers. The insides of both boxes are embellished with autumn grasses by a river. It refers to one of the poems Lady Murasaki composed during the boat party.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Writing Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of GenjiWriting Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of GenjiWriting Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of GenjiWriting Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of GenjiWriting Box with a Scene from the “Butterflies” Chapter of The Tale of Genji

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.