Kajikawa family

Late Edo period, 18/19th century

1615-1868

Inro

Five-case Inro bearing a kinji ground. The design is of a wooden hut in a valley of pine trees and flowing water. Gold takamakie hiramake with details of kirigane, interior of nashiji. The use of pine trees in Japanese art resembles strength, endurance, and longevity.

Signed Kajikawa saku with Kao.

94mm x 47mm

Ojime

mixed metal bead depicting potted flowers.

Unknown maker

Meiji period, 19/20th century

1868-1912

Inro

A stunning large shibayama style inro. Semi-precious material inlay of mother of pearl, tortoiseshell, ivory, and jade on a kinji ground, details in takamakie, hiramakie and kirigane with nashiji interior.

On one side the inro shows a woman carrying a child under a blossom tree and a woman most likely going to wash her clothes in the stream. On the other side, there is a woman and gentleman under a blossom tree by flowering plants. The man is carrying baskets balanced on a pole having been frightened by a kappa (mythical beast) leaping from the water grabbing whatever has been dropped from the basket.   

Kappa are usually understood as mischievous troublemakers or trickster figures. Their behaviour ranges from frightening people to eating them. Often Japanese parents will warn their children not to go near water edges as kappa are known to jump from the edges to catch them.

Kappa are roughly humanoid in form and about the size of a child, inhabiting the rivers and lakes of Japan. One peculiar trait is that it has a cavity on its head called a sara ("dish", "bowl") that retains water or some sort of liquid, which is regarded as the source of the kappa's power or life force. This cavity must be full whenever a kappa is away from the water; if it ever dries out, or if its water is spilled, kappa loses its power and may even die.

105mm x 75mm

Signed unknown maker

Ojime

Silver and gilt bead, eagle fighting a snake.

Signed unknown maker

Anonymous

Edo / Meiji period 19/20th century

1800-1912

Inro

A five-section inro in hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and nashiji set against an alternating gold-lacquered banded wood ground. The inro depicts a hawk perched on rocks above crashing waves and plovers flying over water.

Size 93mm x 48mm

Ojime

Peached coloured stone bead.

Anonymous

Late Edo / Meiji period, 19th/20th century

1615-1912

Inro

A two section inro in a round form decorated in a nashiji ground with multiple fans in hiramakie and details of kirigane with nashiji and kinji interior. The fans are decorated in landscapes of trees and water with birds and insects. Unlike most inro the string dose not exit at the bottom section but continues in one loop all the way through the body. The string cords exit at the top section out of a solid silver mount in the form of flower heads.  

Unsigned

73mm x 73mm

Ojime

A solid silver 19th-century Ojime bead of Hotei. His real Japanese name is said to Be “Keishi” known for carrying a large bag of treasures. He is also depicted with a child on his back. He represents one of the 7 lucky gods and brings happiness and Magnanimity.

Signed Kazumasa

18mm x 18mm

Anonymous

Late Edo period, 18/19th century

1615-1868

Inro

Five-section Inro with swirling water patterns in the rimpa style in Hiramakie on a roiro ground with togidashi butterflies, the interior is nashiji. Butterflies cover the surface in both lacquer and shibayama inlay. The use of semiprecious stones and amber are used.

Unsigned

85mm x 45mm

Ojime

White metal in the form of Daikoku who is

Kajikawa Hisataka

Late Edo period, 18/19th century

1615-1868

Inro

Two-case inro in the form of a shallow basket of Chrysanthemums and peonies, in gold and slight coloured takamakie, the edges of the basket with formal designs in kirikane and aogai mother of pearl inlay also known as somada style.

Signed Kajikawa Hisataka with red pot seal.

58mm x 63mm

Ojime

Amber bead in the form of a cockle shell.