~Donald Richie
Tomorrow I have a netsuke found poem; today I have a related object: inrō. Inrō were most commonly used to carry identity seals and medicine and were held together by a cord, secured to a netsuke. An ojime (bead) on the cords between the inrō and netsuke held the boxes together.
Inro with Cranes Soaring by Mount Fuji, and Netsuke of a Turtle, 19th century
The Walters Art Museum
Inro with Autumn Carnations and Badger Netsuke
by Toryu (Japanese, active ca. 18th century)
Inrō in the Shape of a House
Inrō with a Chinese scholar and attendents
Inrō with a serpent
Inrō on Pinterest
1 comment:
Gorgeous pieces, Tabatha. Particularly liked the house with the something-or-other looking over it. And the serpent, while not particularly appealing, is indeed interesting.
I learned about the inro years ago when I encountered it in various crossword puzzles. :-)
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