新春特別公開「晴れなる輝き 徳川美術館所蔵 菊の白露蒔絵調度」

Special Display

The Splendor of Radiance
Maki-e Trousseaus from the Tokugawa Museum of Art

The Splendor of Radiance
Maki-e Trousseaus from the Tokugawa Museum of Art

Kyushu National Museum usually presents the Hatsune Trousseau, a National Treasure from the Tokugawa Art Museum, in our annual New Year Special Display. We are pleased to ring in the New Year of 2025 with a fresh twist by presenting its sister set of bridal furnishings, the Kiku no Shiratsuyu (“glistening dew on chrysanthemums”) Maki-e Trousseau.

This trousseau belonged to Ōhime (1627–1656), adopted daughter of the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu (1604–1651). She received it for her wedding in 1633 to the 4th head of the Kaga Maeda family, Mitsutaka (1616–1645). Decorated in silver and gold, the set features mountain, water, and chrysanthemum scenery created with elaborate, advanced maki-e lacquer work techniques. Silver grains depict glistening dewdrops on the chrysanthemums, lending them the subtle glow of the trousseau’s name.

Ōhime was an elder stepsister to Chiyo-hime (1637–1698), the eldest daughter of Iemitsu and owner of the Hatsune Trousseau. Both sets of wedding furnishings were crafted by Kōami Chōjū (1599–1651), a maki-e lacquer master employed by the shogunate. The value of these furnishings lies beyond their connection to the Hatsune Trousseau, however. This precious collection has come to us from the golden age (1624–1644) of daimyo wedding trousseaus.

We invite you to imagine a daimyo wedding, starting with a low table and incense tray from the Kiku no Shiratsuyu Trousseau. Complementing them are items from the Kiku Orieda (“chrysanthemum stems”) Maki-e Trousseau, the largest extant example of Edo-period wedding furnishings. This Special Display includes typical bridal furnishings of the time, such as shell-matching game boxes, conjugal pillows, and wedding attire. Take a moment to appreciate these gorgeous bridal furnishings befitting of the New Year.

Exhibition Period:

1 January (Wed) – 26 January (Sun) 2025

Venue:

Room 9, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (4 F)

Tickets: Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Permanent Exhibition)

Adults 700yen
University students 350yen
High school students, visitors under 18, and seniors above 70 FREE

*For more information on ticket prices, please see this page.

Leaflet

Special Display Highlights

菊の白露蒔絵文台

徳川美術館所蔵ⓒ徳川美術館イメージアーカイブ/DNPartcom

Maki-e low table with glistening dew on chrysanthemum motifs

Dated 1633
The Tokugawa Art Museum, Aichi

Low tables like this one held stationery boxes and paper. Water flowing over rocks and blooming chrysanthemums are rendered in fine maki-e lacquer. The surface is also scattered with the text of an ancient Japanese poem referring to morning dew on these flowers.

菊の白露蒔絵香盆

徳川美術館所蔵ⓒ徳川美術館イメージアーカイブ/DNPartcom

Maki-e incense tray with glistening dew on chrysanthemum motifs

Dated 1833
The Tokugawa Art Museum, Aichi

This decorative tray was used to hold what was needed for incense rituals. The tiny grains of silver used to create the dewdrops on the flowers give it the name, Kiku no Shiratsuyu.

菊折枝蒔絵鏡台

徳川美術館所蔵ⓒ徳川美術館イメージアーカイブ/DNPartcom

Maki-e mirror stand with chrysanthemum stem motifs

18th century
The Tokugawa Art Museum, Aichi

Women used mirror stands like this to put on their makeup. The double drawers held cosmetic tools such as hair combs and mirrors. Owned by Takagimi, wife of the 9th Owari Tokugawa head, it features chrysanthemum stems with the Owari Tokugawa and Konoe family crests.

Event

Please note that the event listed below will be held in Japanese only.

No registration required; first-come, first-served

Museum Talk:
All About the Splendor of Radiance Maki-e Trousseaus

Date:
8 January 2024 (Wed) 15:00-15:30
Venue:
Room 9, Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall (Floor 4), Kyushu National Museum
Speaker:
Ms. Kawabata Keiko (Head of the Special Exhibitions Section, Planning Division, Kyushu National Museum)
Admission:
FREE (*please note that a general admission ticket is required to enter the room)