Inro, Saratani, Tomizo, Japan, ca. 1980-ca. 1999
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1980-ca. 1999
Inro, Saratani, Tomizo, Japan, ca. 1980-ca. 1999 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated ca. 1980-ca. 1999. The museum's brief description reads: Japan, modern crafts, studio, lacquer; Inro, gold and silver lacquer on a black lacquer ground, pair of mandarin ducks swimming in water, signed Saratani [Tomizo Saratani], Japan, late 20th century..
Museum description: A flattened, rectangular inro with seven sections, decorated with a pair of mandarin ducks swimming in water on both sides, in gold and silver togidashi maki-e (completely flat) lacquer on a black lacquer ground, with circular gold foil for the eye. Attached to a plain gold lacquer spherical bead ojime (sliding bead) by grey cord. Plain wood outer box. The museum record gives material recorded as lacquer, paper, wood; measurements Height 8 cm; Width 6.1 cm; place associated: Japan; maker recorded: Saratani, Tomizo.
These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The inro is a container made up of tiers. From the late 16th century, Japanese men wore an inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle) because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. They were originally used to hold their owner’s seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However inro rapidly became costly fashion accessories of little or no practical use. Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides. With the adoption of western dress from the mid 19th century onwards, inro gradually fell from use and were actively seen as old fashioned. Over time, the knowledge and skills to make inro were also lost. In more recent times, with the renewed interest in the forms and designs of past lacquerwork, a number of craftsmen attempted to rediscover the complex production methods of inro. Tomizo Saratani is one such lacquer artist who has successfully produced a number of inro. Born in Kyoto in 1949, saratani learned the art of lacquering from his father. He not only works in a wide variety of forms and styles, but has also been involved in lacquer restoration. Although this inro is late 20th century, its subject matter and lacquer techniques are completely traditional in style.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- lacquer, paper, wood
- Dimensions
- Height 8 cm; Width 6.1 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Lacquered paper and/ or wood with gold and silver lacquer on a black lacquer ground
- Maker recorded
- Saratani, Tomizo
- Place recorded
- Japan
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- Saratani
Identification
- Museum object name
- Inro
- Museum object number
- FE.197:1-2002
- Museum system number
- O438976
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.