Bonhams 1793 : A square lacquer kobako (small box) and cover 19th century

19th century
In the form of two books, one titled Ise Monogatari and the other with its cover partly open inscribed with two lines from right to left, Mukashi o and Ayame gari kimiwa nu, with words intentionally omitted, forming most probably part of the waka poem from Chapter fifty-two of 'The Tales of Ise', unsigned. 1.6cm x 8.2cm x 7cm (5/8in x 3¼in x 2¾in). (2).

Sold for £687 inc. premium

Footnotes

伊勢物語本意匠蒔絵小箱　無銘　19世紀

The full inscription on the right is transcribed as:

むかし　男ありけり

And reads:

Mukashi otoko arikeri

And may be translated as:

Once upon a time there was a man.

The poem on the left transcribes:

あやめ刈り / 君はぬまにぞ / まどひける / 我は野に出でて / かるぞわびしき

And reads:

Ayamegari / kimiwa numanizo / madoikeru / warewa noniidete / karuzo wabishiki

And may be translated as:

To pick up irises to wrap this rice cake, you took the trouble to go to a pond, while I was hunting pheasants in the field. I wish I had been able to pick up the irises together with you.