Case (Inrō) with Design of Demon in Escape
19th century
Medium
Gold, silver, red, and black hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay on bamboo; interior: plain wood, drawers
Dimensions
2 13/16 x 1 9/16 x 11/16 in. (7.2 x 4 x 1.8 cm)
Classification
Inrō
Culture & Period
Japan · Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1913
Accession Number
13.67.13
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Inrō* (lacquer case), crafted by Shibata Zin in Japan's Meiji period (186–1912), served as a portable accessory for men, suspended from the kimono sash to hold medicines, seals, or tobacco. Zeshin, a master lacquer artist revered as one of Japan's "Three Great Lacquerers," elevated the humble inrō into a for artistic innovation, blending traditional craftsmanship withly finesse during an era of rapid modernization. The case's surface dazzles with hiramaki-e (flat sprinkled gold and silver powder) and takamaki-e (raised gold motifs), accented by vibrant red lacquer and shimmeri...
About the Artist
Shibata Zeshin · 1807–1891
Japanese, 1807–1891