National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

On this writing box with rounded edges, ivy entwined on the brushwood fence is pictured with an exceptionally fine touch and rich coloring. The brushwood fence and the ivy leaves are slightly-raised takamakie (raised makie). Gold dust is sprinkled on part of the leaves colored with light scarlet. The picturesque and lyric expression of the motif in this makie must have been quite appealing to people who were only familiar with highly formalized traditional makie.
There is an inscription in gold powder "By Koma Kyūi, finished by Kyūhaku (signature-seal)" on the reverse side of the lid, indicating that this piece is crafted by the first Koma Kyūi and further refined and finished by the third Koma Kyūhaku of the Koma clan.