The Mazarin Chest
Japan
About 1640
Wood, black lacquer with gold and silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e lacquer, detailing in gold, silver and shibuichi, border inlaid with shell and gilded shakudo fittings
Museum no. 412:1-1882

The left-hand side of the Mazarin Chest is decorated with a scene from the Tale of Genji. Without reference to any figures, it unmistakably alludes to chapter 14, Miotsukushi (The Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi) and Genji's journey to the Sumiyoshi Shrine.