Inrō, Netsuke and Ojime
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This Japanese lacquer ensemble consists of a tiered inrō, an ojime bead, and a netsuke, dating to the eighteenth century. Both the inrō and the netsuke were crafted by the lacquer artist Toyo, sharing a coordinated design. The inrō container is constructed of wood finished with lacquer, measuring 7.6 cm in height, and is suspended on cords threaded through the ojime bead up to the netsuke toggle.
The object is executed on a red-brown lacquer ground and is decorated with tatebina dolls and a flowering cherry branch on the reverse. The motifs are rendered in shades of gold and coloured togidashi maki-e (polished-out lacquer decoration) combined with nashiji ("pear skin" lacquer ground). The ensemble is signed by Toyo with a kakihan (written seal).
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
It is common in Japanese personal accessories to see an inrō and netsuke depicting the same subject matter paired together, as illustrated here where both components were produced by the same lacquer master.
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, netsuke and ojime
- Museum object number
- W.284:1-1922
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.