Shikishi are the decorative, square-shaped poem cards used for calligraphy or painting. Being precious items they are typically be stored in special square-shaped lacquer boxes, shikishibako. The papers are usually decorated with gold or silver flakes and have a printed or painted design that will serve as the background to the owner’s calligraphy. 

On this example, the artist has created a scene of two water striders skating across the surface of still waters, under a canopy of stylised water plants. The lacquer techniques are those of choshitsu, carving, for the water, and silver togidashi-e for the leaves, boldly outlined in roiro black. In building up the design the artist has created a three-dimensional carved lacquer ground to capture the water’s pooling, but then brought that up to a flat, mirror-surface finish, through additional layers of clear lacquer polished to a perfect plane. Working on that surface, black, highly polished takamakie creates three-dimensional insects, leaves and the water’s edge. Finally, cut-outs are created in the leaves to receive fine silver powder, ginpun, scattered irregularly across a viscous, thick black lacquer ground, then polished to a smooth surface. Like so much in the lacquer arts, the technical demands of the work are not immediately apparent. 

The choice of the water strider subject is, of course, highly symbolic. Their unique ability to walk on water demonstrates resilience and adaptability to life’s challenges. In Buddhism, they represent detachment from material possessions, working in harmony with nature, letting go of worldly attachments and focusing on spiritual growth. It is thus a fitting subject to inspire creativity and balance in its owner’s calligraphic works.

Research has not revealed details of the artist Mokubei, though the style of the work is one closely associated with the lacquer centre of Takamatsu on Shikoku Island.