An anthology of things heard, past and present Chomonj? (title on object) A comparison of Japanese writings (series title) Washo kurabe (series title on object), Snake, two melons and a wooden box. The Chomonj? is a 30-volume book written by Tachibana no Narisue in 1254. One of the stories is about a melon given to Fujiwara no Michinaga (921-1005). There appears to be a snake in the melon, which one finds out in time. With one poem, snakes, fruits: melon, Totoya Hokkei (mentioned on object), Japan, c. 1822, paper, colour woodcut, h 199 mm ⊙ w 184 mm.