Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
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Important Cultural Property

Inkstone Case with Mount Penglai in Makie

蓬莱山蒔絵硯箱
Inkstone Case with Mount Penglai in Makie (蓬莱山蒔絵硯箱)
PLATE IImage: Kyoto National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Lacquerware · Muromachi period, 15th century · held by Kyoto National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category
Lacquerware
Date
1401–1500
Dimensions
Height23.2cm:Width21.6cm:Height 4.8cm
Catalogue ID
cobas-2011

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This depiction of a tortoise serenely swimming away, against a background of craggy mountains, derives from early Chinese beliefs concerning Mount Penglai (J., Hôrai), a land of immortality and eternal youth where the immortals dwell. Both the design and form of this inkstone box suggest an archaizing style, straightforward in expression. These qualities contribute to the old-fashioned elegance of this superb piece.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Inkstone Case with Mount Penglai in Makie（蓬莱山蒔絵硯箱）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-2011. Kyoto National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/inkstone-case-with-mount-penglai-in-makie/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Lacquerware
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Size: Height23.2cm:Width21.6cm:Height 4.8cm
  • Category: Applied arts:Objects for daily life:Objects for writing:Writing boxes|Applied arts:By media:Lacquerware|Applied arts:By region:Japan
  • 員数: 1合
  • 分類: 漆工
  • 法量: 縦23.2cm:横21.6cm:高 4.8cm
  • 種別: 工芸:生活用具:文房具:硯箱|工芸:素材別:漆工|工芸:地域別:日本

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