Anonymous

Edo Period 19th century

1615-1868

Inro

A four case inro on a roiro ground with kimpun. decorated in gold, silver and polychrome togidashi makie. Interior in nashiji and fundame.

What at first look like Three beautiful women viewing blossom trees at the coast become two women and a child when both sides are put together. The designs of inro were prepared at first on paper and then overlayed on to the inro body to be traced out. Once you see both the front and back together you realise it is a young girl and two adults. The young girl is making eye contact with one of the women on her left. Waves are rolling in the distance while the emphasis on the wind is made by the petals falling and the cloaks of the two women ripple.

Viewing blossom was and has always been a tradition of the Japanese. It is possible that the roiro (black) ground is to represent viewing blossom at night time. There is a well-known print by the artist Utagawa Kunisada of three women viewing blossom at night with water in the distance. Blossom viewing is known commonly as hanami, viewing at night is known as yozakura.

Unsigned

80mm x 53mm

Ojime

Lacquered metal bead.