Bookstand Containing a Crystal Ball and a Piece of Cloth

Art Historical Context

Kubo Shunman's *Bookstand Containing a Crystal and a Piece of Cloth (19th century) is a delicate gem from a Japanese album of woodblock prints known as *surimono*. These intimate, privately commissioned works—measuring just 8 x 10 3/16 inches—were created using ink and color on paper, often for New Year's celebrations or poetry circles. Shunman, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, specialized in these luxurious prints, blending everyday objects like a bookstand, shimmering crystal ball, and draped cloth into poetic still lifes that evoke mystery and introspection. Surimono like this one stand out for their refined techniques: subtle gradations of color (*bokashi*), metallic accents, and embossing that add tactile depth, making them prized collector's items. Produced in limited editions, they reflect Japan's Edo-period (1603–1868) urban culture, where art intertwined with haiku poetry and seasonal themes. The crystal ball hints at fortune-telling or divination, a nod to popular folklore, transforming ordinary items into symbols of wonder. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, part of the H. O. Havemeyer Collection (1929), this print showcases Shunman's elegant style amid the ukiyo-e golden age. Visitors will appreciate its quiet elegance—a window into Japan's artistic intimacy.

About the Artist

Kubo Shunman · 1757–1820

Japanese, 1757–1820