Inrō
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1775-1850
This Japanese tiered inrō dates to between 1775 and 1850, produced during the Edo period by an unidentified maker. The container has a rectangular profile with rounded edges and is executed in lacquer. Its dimensions measure 7.4 cm in height, 4.3 cm in width, and 2.3 cm in depth.
The exterior features decoration executed in black lacquer over a plain red lacquer ground. One face depicts a jumping shishi (lion-dog), while the reverse side is decorated with a pine branch. The decorative techniques include urushi-e (painted lacquer) in black and sumi-e, where the painted lacquer is polished out to emulate ink painting.
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
Traditional Japanese garments, such as the kimono, lacked pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, men wore an inrō suspended from the sash using a cord and a netsuke toggle. Originally intended to store seals, ink, or medicines, the containers evolved into decorative fashion accessories. Lacquer was favored for making inrō because its properties were well-suited for preserving medicines.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Red lacquer ground, black urushi-e (painted lacquer), sumi-e (polished out maki-e in the manner of an ink painting)
- Dimensions
- Height: 7.4 cm; Width: 4.3 cm; Depth: 2.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Unknown
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Inrō
- Museum object number
- W.214-1921
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.