Japan 18th Century Edo Period Five Drawer Inro In Lacquered Gilt Wood With A Rooster

Japanese Inro from the Edo period (1615-1868)

Beautiful Inro, created in Japan during the Edo (1615-1868) Shogunate period circa Late 18th century. It was carefully crafted in carved precious wood with applications of gilding maki-e and decorated with Japonism patterns. All dan trays are attached together with a himo cord. The detailed craftsmanship was a true pleasure to behold.

Period: Edo (1615-1868). Shogunate States.

Approximate Date: 1790-1800.

Motif: The elaborate figure of a rooster strolling in a chrysanthemums garden.

Drawers: Five.

Shape: Rectangular cushion.

Technique: Carved wood, Lacquer, hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, Maki-e (Gilding), Silvered.

Ojime: 15mm, round-ovoid carved wood with nashiji technique.

Netsuke: Manju gilded netsuke, (double lids), with a silvered crane standing in a landscape.

Weight: 61.20 Grams.

Measurements: Inro is 88 mm by 62 mm by 15 mm (3.46 x 2.44 x 0.59 Inches).

Signatures: Yes. Unknown research in progress. With seal in red.

The Edo Period

The Edo period or Tokugawa period is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengoku period, the Edo period was characterized by economic growth, strict social order, isolationist foreign policies, a stable population, perpetual peace, and popular enjoyment of arts and culture. The period derives its name from Edo (now Tokyo), where on March 24, 1603, the shogunate was officially established by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The period came to an end with the Meiji Restoration and the Boshin War, which restored imperial rule to Japan. The Tokugawa (or Edo) period brought 250 years of stability to Japan. The political system evolved into what historians call bakuhan, a combination of the terms bakufu and han (domains) to describe the government and society of the period.[3] In the bakuhan, the shōgun had national authority and the daimyo had regional authority. This represented a new unity in the feudal structure, which featured an increasingly large bureaucracy to administer the mixture of centralized and decentralized authorities. The Tokugawa became more powerful during their first century of rule: land redistribution gave them nearly seven million koku, control of the most important cities, and a land assessment system reaping great revenues.

Inro

Is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects, suspended from the obi (sash) worn around the waist when wearing a kimono. They are often highly decorated with various materials such as lacquer and various techniques such as maki-e, and are more decorative than other Japanese lacquerware. Because traditional Japanese dress lacked pockets, objects were often carried by hanging them from the obi in containers known as sagemono (a hanging object attached to a sash). Most sagemono were created for specialized contents, such as tobacco, pipes, writing brush and ink, but the type known as inro is suitable for carrying small things, and was created in the Sengoku period (1467–1615) as a portable identity seal and medicine container for travel. In the middle of the Edo period (1603–1868), inro became popular as men's accessories, and wealthy merchants of the chōnin and samurai classes collected inro often beautifully decorated with lacquer. As the technique developed from the late Edo period to the Meiji period (1868–1912) and the artistic value of inro increased, inro were no longer used as an accessory and came to be regarded as an art object for collection.

Ojime: An ojime (緒締め), lit. is a bead cord fastener used in Japanese inrō (carrying cases). It is typically under an inch in length. Each is carved into a particular shape and image, similar to the netsuke, though smaller.

Netsuke: A netsuke (根付, [netsɯ̥ke]) is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th century in Japan. Initially a simply carved button fastener on the cords of an inrō box, netsuke later developed into ornately sculpted objects of craftsmanship.

Collateral: This piece is accompanied by a presentation pouch.

Condition: The overall condition of this Inro is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to any part. All part are original and secured. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: D070523MAEN/.1111