FUSEN: A FINE LACQUER SUZURIBAKO DEPICTING HERONS AT THE ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE By Fusen, signed Fusen with a kakihan Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, late Edo period (1615-1868) Of rounded rectangular form, bearing a roiro ground, the overhanging cover finely decorated in gold and silver hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with kirigane and e-nashiji to depict the `floating` torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine, a heron perched with one leg on the gate and preening itself as two other herons fly toward it over crashing waves, all amid gnarled pine trees, craggy rockwork, and thick clouds, with the sacred peaks of Mount Misen towering in the background. The interior of the cover is decorated with gold and colored takamaki-e and e-nashiji with aquatic life including seashells, clams, conches, and a starfish, the upper half entirely in nashiji. The baseboard of nashiji and fitted with brush holders, a suzuri (inkstone), a parcel-gilt silver suiteki (waterdropper) of rhomboidal shape incised with stylized plovers (hama chidori), and two gold lacquered fude (writing brushes). SIZE 4.4 x 25 x 22.6 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear, few minor age cracks, occasional light scratches. Provenance: Dutch collection. With a black-lacquered wood storage box with an old Japanese label. Fusen (lit. `a floating boat`) is recorded by Wrangham, E. A. (1995) The Index of Inro Artists, p. 54. Itsukushima Shrine , on Miyajima Island (also known as Itsukushima), is believed to have been first built during the reign of Empress Suiko (554-628). The warrior Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181), however, is responsible for the shrine`s present form. The Shinto shrine is best known for its "floating" torii gate.