Carrying Case

Item number N2.967 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Gold and red lacquered, oval-shaped, carrying case known as inrō (印籠) with five fitted sections stacked vertically. A fibre cord tied at the base is threaded through two channels on either side, holding the five parts together. The purple cord extends above the top of the box, with the two ends held together by an orange, cylindrical ojime and a wooden netsuke (根付) with a carved turtle on it. The body of the case has imagery all around the sides of a large brown octopus with a blue eye, a man with a spear, and various sea stars and shells, on a speckled gold background. The interior of the four sections are speckled red-orange and gold.

History Of Use

Used by men, attached to an obi sash. Originally used to carry seals, but later other small items, such as medicine. During the Edo period (1603–1868), they became popular as a man’s accessory, without carrying anything inside. Later they become collectibles, from the late Edo period onwards.