Even more magnificent maki-e

[gurdymonkey]

I keep forgeting e-museum!

A Heian period box decorated with wheels and water - this motif makes sense once one discovers that wooden wheels would be put into a stream to swell any loose joints. I really like the contrast of the regular geometry of the cart wheels against the swirling water. http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w074/w074s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg
The same motif in a Kamakura period toiletry box.
http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w076/w076s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg

Another Heian box, with lotuses and butterflies from the Nara Museum.
http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w007/w007s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg

Sparrows from the Nara Museum collection. (Lamentably, their search engine only runs in Japanese!)
http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2007toku/insei/insei-16_e.htm

Anyone remember this one? http://gurdymonkey.livejournal.com/180614.html

I keep coming back to the water motifs. I need to make some sketches when I'm not too exhausted to hold a pencil.