Case (Inrō) with Design of Man Blowing on a Brazier to Make Tea
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Lacquer, roiro, gold and coloured togidashi; Interior: nashiji and fundame; Netsuke: mouse; Ojime: floral bead
Dimensions
a) H. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm); W. 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm) b) Gr. Diam. 1 1/2 in. (1.1 cm) c) L. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)
Classification
Inrō
Culture & Period
Japan · Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Hope Skillman Schary, 1981
Accession Number
1982.244.15a–c
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *inrō*, a compact lacquer case from 18th–19th Japan (spanning late Edo to early Meiji period), served as a stylish accessory for men wearing traditional kimono. Suspended from the waist by a cord, it held small essentials like medicines or seals, secured by a carved netsuke—here, a charming mouse—and a floral ojime bead. The design a man intently blowing on a brazier heat water for tea, capturing a moment of everyday ritual tied to Japan's revered tea culture, from casual enjoyment to the formal *chanoyu* ceremony. Crafted with masterful lacquer techniques, the exterior feature...