A Suzuribako is a Japanese writing box. This one was made for my dear friend Tad. The decorative inlays on the lid reminded me of Jupiter and its many rings and moons. It is a follow on for my Starry, starry night box - which was a commission for his wife.
The lift off lid, held in place with a traditional obijimi sash, is veneered marine ply, with book matched burl elm on the outside and jarrah edging, with paulownia veneer on the inside. It has a dyed black band, Jupiter's ring, running across the top and down the ends. This is inlayed with a range of small shell and opal dots, representing Jupiters moonlets and satellites. The two larger cabochon stud earrings, represent a couple of Jupiter's larger moons Adrastea and Metis.
But, what is the box? Continuing with my Japanese inspired boxes, this is a traditional writing box - Suzuribako. It is used to hold a range of tools and equipment associated with Japanese calligraphy or Shado. The main box/base and the internal writing tray are made from cherry.
The lift-out tray contains calligraphy traditional tools. An Inkstone 硯 - Suzuri, a water dropper 水差し - Mizusashi, two brushes 筆 - Fude, and a brush rest 筆置 - Fude oki.
It seems that in times gone bye people had to make their own tools in order to practice shodo, but today you can find all the necessary objects in stores across Japan or other countries. I got most of mine from AliExpress. Though the Suzuri - inkstone, and the Sumi - inkstick, where given to me be the eventual recipient of the box - little did he know he would get them back!
The inside of the Suzuribako tray and its interior framework have been ebonised and then sprinkled with gold dust to reflect traditional Japanese black lacquer.
I use polyurethane instead of traditional lacquer - urushi. A couple of coats are applied and rubbed down, then another coat is applied, and while still wet the gold dust, or you can use fine glitter, is sprinkled on. This is left to dry after which I brush off any loose dust before applying another two or three coats of polyurethane to cover the gold dust. I then rub it down with 400 grit and apply more coats until the gold dust is completely sealed and I can rub it down get a flat satin finish.
Beneath the Suzuribako in the base of the box are more traditional items. All of which have their own specific Japanese names.
Two paper weights 文鎮 - Bunchin, made from Mexican Rosewood with shell dot inlays and grooves to act as brush rests. A paper knife ペーパーナイフ - Pepanaifu. A brush hanger 笔挂 - Burashihanga, for hanging cleaned brushes after they have been cleaned to allow them to dry. A solid inkstick 墨 - Sumi in its own paulownia box. Also included is an uncarved soap stone seal 判子 - Hanko.
Making boxes that have a specific purpose and hold set items is more challenging than making an empty box. Things have to fit, and fit in particular positions, so the internal layout and associated sizes and tolerances have to be precise and carefully built into the design. Many of my boxes are just empty containers - you put in what you want and arrange things as best you can. So finished sizes don't really matter, and a few millimetres discrepancy from the original sizes are OK.
The whole box is gift wrapped in a traditional Furoshiki cloth.
It was made as a surprise for a very good Japanese friend who has given me so much encouragement, and help with translations while researching many of my Japanese boxes. Thank you Tad!
As ever thanks for looking, and if you have nay questions please ask.
