Suzuri-bako

Suzuri-bako (硯箱; "inkstone box") are a type of Japanese writing box. The boxes are traditionally made of lacquered wood and are used to hold writing implements.^[1] Historically, the boxes were associated with calligraphy, and as such they were made using high-quality materials designed to safeguard porcelain inkstones (suzuri) from damage.^[2]

History

The first suzuri-bako were developed in 9th-century Japan.^[2] At the time, calligraphy was an integral part of Japanese society. In order for a writer to produce a high-quality calligraphy script, a set of precise tools was needed. The most important of these tools was the inkstone, which was required to hold and transfer ink onto a writer's brush.^[2] Ink sticks, water droppers, and a small knife were also part of a calligrapher's set.^[2]Suzuri-bako were designed to ensure that the various tools a calligrapher needed were properly organized and protected.^[1] Due to the insoluble nature of resin-based lacquer, the contents of the writing box were relatively safe from moisture.^[3] Inside of the square or rectangular boxes rested a number of different trays and holders, the layout of which differed from period to period.^[2] Early boxes were large enough to accommodate both the writer's implements and papers, while later boxes only housed tools. A second type of box, the ryōshibako, were used in later periods to house completed papers.^[2]

硯箱は時が経つにつれ、より精巧になっていった。初期の硯箱は赤い漆で装飾されることが多いが、現代の硯箱は様々な方法で装飾されている。^{[ 2 ]}室町時代以降、多くの筆箱に日本の偉大な文学作品の絵が描かれるようになった。^{[ 2 ]}京都の高台寺は、非対称の模様と秋の草を特徴とする硯箱の装飾様式と結び付けられるようになった。漆器に関しては、黒、茶、金が現代の硯箱で見られる最も一般的な色である。江戸時代には、多くの結納品に硯箱が含まれていた。^[²^]明治時代の技術と製造工程の進歩によって、多くの新しい形とサイズの箱が開発された。^[²^]書道が広く使われるようになってから硯箱工芸は衰退したが、現在でも少数は生産されている。