As You Wish

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

As You Wish
As You Wish
Kris Ercums, curator
November 3, 2022–June 9, 2024
Gallery 409, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

This curved ceremonial scepter—known as ruyi, or “as you wish,” in Chinese—is an invitation to open and explore the eight pull-out drawers in the Lee Study Center. Inside fanciful immortals, mythic creatures, and vibrant colors await. Curate your own experience through the diverse contents in each drawer.

Exhibition images

Works of art

sakazuki (sake drinking cup), Kajikawa Family
Kajikawa Family
sakazuki (sake drinking cup), 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
lacquer dish
lacquer dish, date unknown
lacquer dish
lacquer dish, date unknown
covered box with dragon
covered box with dragon, early 1570s, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Jingasa (ceremonial military hat)
Jingasa (ceremonial military hat), 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
陣笠 jingasa (camp hat)
陣笠 jingasa (camp hat), late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
bowl
bowl, 1100s
bowl
bowl, 1200s
bowl
bowl, 1200s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
plate
plate, Yüan dynasty (1279–1368)
dish
dish, 1400s, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
dish
dish, Yongzheng period (1723–1735), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
dish
dish, Yongzheng period (1723–1735), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bowl
bowl, Guangxu period (1874–1908), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
mirror depicting Emperor Xuanzong’s Journey to the Moon
mirror depicting Emperor Xuanzong’s Journey to the Moon, 1000s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
bronze mirror, Yoshitsuga Fujiwara
Yoshitsuga Fujiwara
bronze mirror, early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Dading Tongbao coin mirror
Dading Tongbao coin mirror, 1178–1234, Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
lacquer case for bronze mirror
lacquer case for bronze mirror, early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
ruyi sceptre
ruyi sceptre, 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
ruyi sceptre
ruyi sceptre, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
如意 ruyi scepter
如意 ruyi scepter, 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)