Inro, personal accessory

Inro were used to carry small personal seals or medicines. It was hung from a man's kimono sash, as kimono do not have any pockets. A netsuke, toggle was attached to the cord running through the inro and a bead ojime to keep the trays closed.

This inro was made of wood covered in layers of lacquer. The design of an Okina dancer has a white ivory mask. The design is built up in paste, moulded into shape with colours and gold added to the surface which is then covered in layers of clear lacquer.

A No theatre performance started with the dance of Okina.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-002-220-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1930.304
Date:	19th century
Material:	Inscription: Kajikawa
Dimensions:	3.25" H x 2.25" W
What:	Inro / case, medicine
Subject:	Lacquer and wood / inro
Who:	Kajikawa (Maker) No (Dancers depicted)
Where:	Japan
Event:
Description:	Inro or medicine case, with compartments, with relief figures of No dancers with ivory masks, a nashi-ji interior, signed Kajikaawa, and with a ojime and a wood netsuke: Japan, 19th century
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