Tachibana Gyokuzan (active Edo, late 18th century - early 19th century)
Saké Cup: Mukojima and Mt. Fuji, mid 19th century
Lacquered wood (hiramakié), 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in.)
This circular, lacquered wood sake cup is shallow and has images of Tokyo (Mukojima district) and Mt. Fuji on it on a red background. There is a tan and blue building on the right with a reddish thatched roof. Several figures are visible inside the building through large windows. There are bluish grey trees behind the building. The ground is muted shades of tan and grey. There are several small figures on the horizon; one leading an animal. Two female and two male figures dressed in traditional Japanese clothes are walking on the path in the foreground. A yellow stream flows from the building to a footbridge on the left. Mt. Fuji is depicted as blue and is on the left side in the distance. The sky is a dark maroon color. The back of the plate is maroon with small Japanese symbols in the center.
Little Salon
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.