A RINPA-STYLE INLAID LACQUER SUZURIBAKO WITH BLOSSOMING HORTENSIASchool of Ogata Korin (1658-1716), unsigned Japan, 19th centuryOf rounded rectangular form, with a slightly domed overhanging cover. The exterior with a reddish-brown and kinji ground decorated in shades of gold takamaki-e with inlays of mother-of-pearl and pewter to depict a large tub filled to the brim with leafy blossoming hortensia (ajisaizoku). The interior of the cover bearing a lustrous roiro ground similarly decorated and with gold and silver hiramaki-e to depict iris (shobu) and grasses along the bank of a meandering swirling river. The interior of the box with a reddish-brown ground similarly decorated and fitted with a rectangular inkstone (suzuri) and rectangular brass waterdropper (suiteki) neatly incised with an iris design.SIZE 5.5 x 22.6 x 24 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and few minor losses and a repair to inlays.With a wood tomobako storage box.Ogata Korin (1658-1716) was a famous and highly influential Japanese landscape illustrator, lacquerer, painter, and textile designer of the Rinpa School. Korin is best known for his byobu folding screens, such as Irises and Red and White Plum Blossoms (both registered National Treasures), and his paintings on ceramics and lacquerware produced by his brother Kenzan (1663-1743). Also a prolific designer, he worked with a variety of decorative and practical objects, such as round fans, makie writing boxes, or inro medicine cases. He is also credited with reviving and consolidating the Rinpa school of Japanese painting, fifty years after its foundation by Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637) and Tawaraya Sotatsu (c. 1570-c. 1640). In fact the term ‘Rinpa’, coined in the Meiji period, means ‘school of [Ko]rin’. In particular he had a lasting influence on Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828), who replicated many of his paintings and popularized his work, organizing the first exhibition of Korin's paintings at the hundredth anniversary of his death.Auction comparison:Compare a related Rinpa-style lacquer suzuribako, signed Hokkyo Korin, dated late 19th century, Meiji period, at Christie’s, 1 October 2020, New York, lot 9 (sold for 23,750 USD).