There is a fascinating story to be discovered through a piece in Jacqueline Avant's fine art works collection. This has involved a vintage collection of mostly pre-modern Japanese lacquer wares on display in southern California not very long ago. The images which have been engraved on several beautiful pieces in the Avant Collection include references to the literature of the courts. Interpretations of poems appear on lacquer regularly from the 13th century to the present time. The Six Immortals (872-945 AD) in the preface to the "Kokinshu" anthology form the basis for early literary quotes in lacquer. By the 18th century, images from poetry about the seasons of romance, themes from court fiction, or images from noh drama held an important presence among lacquer designs. When the Avant Ono no Komachi "suzuribako" was produced, layers of reference had accumulated around a theme like Komachi's. Therefore, the sad story of Ono no Komachi is indeed an interesting one to reflect upon.
Komachi lived a life that became a legend in her own time and has grown since in popular fascination. She was a stunning beauty of a young woman. A number of interested young men attempted to gain her favor. However, Komachi was not interested in any of the men who tried to pursue her. According to the mythology which surrounded her, she informed one suitor that if he came to visit her one hundred times only then would she allow him his earnest wish. This man was madly in love with Komachi, so he agreed to the arrangement. After many visits, he began to feel confident about his chance of success in the end. Then there came a night when one of his parents died. He was summoned away for a time of mourning, so he could not visit Komachi on that occasion. When he returned to her, she promptly rejected him. Later, this man also died in a great soul-wrenching depression which was caused by the cruel way his lover had treated him. Consequently, Komachi spent the rest of her life alone. She lived beyond the age of one hundred as a destitute, old hag. Despite the enormous legend, there is very little in Ono no Komachi's original poetry to give details about her biography. There are poetic subjects of the spurning of a lover and the lifelong regrets about her fading beauty. In the end, her beauty was lost forever.
Komachi lived a life that became a legend in her own time and has grown since in popular fascination. She was a stunning beauty of a young woman. A number of interested young men attempted to gain her favor. However, Komachi was not interested in any of the men who tried to pursue her. According to the mythology which surrounded her, she informed one suitor that if he came to visit her one hundred times only then would she allow him his earnest wish. This man was madly in love with Komachi, so he agreed to the arrangement. After many visits, he began to feel confident about his chance of success in the end. Then there came a night when one of his parents died. He was summoned away for a time of mourning, so he could not visit Komachi on that occasion. When he returned to her, she promptly rejected him. Later, this man also died in a great soul-wrenching depression which was caused by the cruel way his lover had treated him. Consequently, Komachi spent the rest of her life alone. She lived beyond the age of one hundred as a destitute, old hag. Despite the enormous legend, there is very little in Ono no Komachi's original poetry to give details about her biography. There are poetic subjects of the spurning of a lover and the lifelong regrets about her fading beauty. In the end, her beauty was lost forever.