日本武尊蒔絵印籠|Inrō with Prince Yamato Takeru Disguised as a Woman

Bairin|Naomasa

1752, 8th month

日本武尊蒔絵印籠|Inrō with Prince Yamato Takeru Disguised as a Woman by Bairin|Naomasa

Medium

Five cases; lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and cut-out gold foil application on gold ground Netsuke: kagamibuta type, Ono no Tōfū; ivory and metal Ojime: red coral bead

Dimensions

3 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 13/16 in. (8.3 x 5.7 x 2.1 cm)

Classification

Inrō

Culture & Period

Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)

Department

Asian Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913

Accession Number

14.40.874a, b

Tags

SwordsMenWomen

Art Historical Context

This exquisite inrō from Japan’s Edo period (1615–1868 captures a dramatic moment from ancient legend Prince Yamato Takeru, heroic figure from Japanese mythology, disguised as a to infiltrate an enemy camp. Created in 1752 by the artist Bairin (also known asomasa), the five container was designed to hold small or medicines and was worn from a sash by its ivory netsuke coral ojime bead. scene reflects the period’s fascination with historical tales and the refined tastes of samurai and merchants alike. The artwork showcases masterful lacquer techniques on a gold ground, including raised takamak...

About the Artist

Bairin|Naomasa ( | ) · | |

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