Description
This Inro has a flat rectangular shape and is divided into four layers. A string was passed to both sides of each step, fastened with netting to prevent falls. Also, thanks to the Makie (蒔絵) technique, this Inro is luxurious. The Makie is a typical Japanese lacquer art technique developed uniquely in Japan for about 1,200 years. Firstly, it needs to draw a picture with lacquer on the surface with a thin brush. Next, sprinkle the gold powder from above to show the pattern before the lacquer hardens. This technique makes a gorgeous and elegant look to works, as seen in this Inro case.
This Inro is decorated with various kinds of plants. For example, while on one side of this Inro case, Kiku (菊, chrysanthemum) and Kakitsubata (杜若/燕子花, Iris laevigata or rabbit-ear iris) are depicted, on the other side, Kikyou (桔梗, Japanese bellflower) and Sasa (笹, bamboo grass) or something are depicted.
Chrysanthemum is one of the flowers which symbolizes fall, and people appreciate it very much since ancient times. It is said that this flower was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in China a long time ago, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. “Kiku no Gomon (菊の御紋)” is a kind of chrysanthemum pattern, and it has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan so that it is well-known as a noble pattern.
Kakitsubata flowers color the waterside during their short flowering time; Japanese people have loved this elegant appearance since ancient times. This flower has been treated as a motif in various arts, such as poems or pictures. There is a famous collection of Japanese poems that is called the Ise Monogatari (伊勢物語, The Tales of Ise). One of the well-known episodes in this book treats the Kakitsubata. The plot of the story is as follows. The protagonist no longer felt comfortable living in the city and decided to go to the eastern country, which was the countryside at that time. He left the town with his friends, and during the journey, one of them found that Kakitsubatas were blooming at the waterside. The protagonist was requested to write a poem using characters of the Kakitsubata (it is written as かきつばた in Hiragana character), and he responded to this challenging request. He composed a nostalgic poem, and it made them feel homesick for their home or families.
Also, Kakitsubata is famous for being used in a poem by Ariwara no Narihira (在原業平, 825-880), who was a famous Japanese courtier and poet. It is said that when he saw the field of Kakitsubata flowers in Yatsuhashi (located in today’s Aichi prefecture) while traveling, he was so impressed by its beauty and composed the most famous Japanese iris themed poem, which was said to make his companion cry. Also, the flower pattern was loved by Ogata Korin (尾形光琳, 1658-1716), a renowned Japanese artist, and his masterpiece depicting Kakitsubata is also said to be the most renowned iris painting in Japan.
Kikyou is a small star-shaped flower. It is said its root has medicinal efficacy. The Kikyou pattern has often been used as a motif of Tanka (短歌, a kind of traditional Japanese poem) and pictures since the Heian period (794-1185). Its name was initially “Kichikou,” and it changed to “Kikyou” with time. It is said this flower was used for fortune-telling in the old days. This action is called Kikkyou-wo Uranau (吉凶を占う) in Japanese. The word Kikkyou (吉凶, good or bad omen) was associated with this flower’s name. “Kichikou” was compared to the word “Kichi Kou (吉更),” which means further good fortune. That is why this flower pattern is treated as a good omen design.
As for bamboo grass, bamboos grow neatly towards the sky, and it is vital so that this motif represents nobility and strength. Besides, the bamboo breaks straight, but its content is hollow; people thought it shows innocence. According to a Chinese legend, Houhou (鳳凰, Fenghuang) eats bamboo fruits; therefore, bamboo has been considered a sacred plant. Also, as it keeps its green color even in cold winter, people thought the bamboo pattern shows eternity and longevity. We would say that the bamboo pattern is one of the familiar designs for Japanese people since ancient times.
The Ojime (緒締, part between the Inro case and the Netsuke) is a component that prevents the Inro case from opening, and it also has another role in combining two strings into one. The Ojime of this Inro seems to be made from a kind of stone. Also, the motif of Netsuke (根付, miniature sculpture, fastener) is an elephant (象, Zo). Regarding the history of elephants, it is said that two elephants were brought to Japan from the continent in the Edo period, the 13th year of the Kyouho (享保) era (1728). They were gifts for the Tokugawa Shogun at that time, Tokugawa Yoshimune (徳川 吉宗, 1684-1751). Many ordinary people saw this animal during the journey from the elephant’s arrival to Edo city. And this giant animal became a trend among people. Initially, the Hakuzou (白象, white elephant) was sacred in Buddhism. It is known as a vehicle of the Fugen Bosatsu (普賢菩薩, Samantabhadra, a bodhisattva of rationale and mercy). A theory says Mayabunin (摩耶夫人, Mahāmāyā), who is the Buddha’s birth mother, saw a white elephant when she got pregnant Buddha. Also, the elephant has been regarded as a patient animal. Based on this history and religious idea, it is understandable that the elephant motif was incorporated into motifs for various items, as seen in this work.
We hope you enjoyed this description and wish this Inro would speak to you.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
What is Inro?
Inro is a small container for carrying medicine and tobacco leaves. In the Edo period, Samurai had a habit of carrying regular medicines in Inro, which were used daily and were popular as accessories that represent Edo crafts.
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