Case (Inrō) with Fox Wedding Procession

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Inrō* (lacquer case), crafted by Shibata Zeshin the Meiji period (18681912), showcases the pinnacle of Japanese lacquer artistry Zeshin, a master in the medium, transformed everyday objects into wearable art. Worn suspended from a kimono sash, the inrō held small essentials like medicines or seals, secured by an ivory netsuke—a reclining fox on a large—and a gold ojime, linked by dark green silk cord Measuring just 3 1/16 x 2 1/8 x 13/16 inches, its compact form belies its intricate detail. The case's surface bursts with a whimsical "Fox Wedding Procession" in colored lacquer and gold *maki-e*, a technique where powdered gold is sprinkled onto wet lacquer and polished to luminous effect. Foxes, sacred messengers of the Shinto deity Inari, often appear in folklore as shape-shifters leading nocturnal parades with lanterns. This playful motif blends humor and mysticism, reflecting Edo-period yōkai (supernatural) tales persisting into Meiji Japan amid rapid modernization. Zeshin's mastery elevated lacquerware from functional to collector's treasure, influencing global appreciation of Japanese crafts. Acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1957, this Metropolitan Museum of Art gem invites you to ponder the foxes' midnight revelry— a tiny portal to Japan's enchanting spirit world.

About the Artist

Shibata Zeshin · 1807–1891

Japanese, 1807–1891