Kajikawa
Late Edo period, 18/19th century
1615-1868
Inro
Three-case inro using an eight-sided shaped case. A rich roiro ground with gold and red takamakie and kirigane details. A Shishi is leaping through the air beside some peonies.
The inro’s illustration of a shishi (lion) jumping around peonies almost certainly refers to the noh play Shakkyo (Stone Bridge). The monk Jakushō is traveling around Asia visiting places associated with the Buddha. On his travels, he comes across a stone bridge where a boy appears. The boy explains to Jakushō that the land over the bridge is the Pure Land belonging to Monju (Manjusri Bodhisattva) and that crossing the bridge will be hard for him. The last words from the boy are that if he stays, he will see a miracle then the boy vanishes.
From the other side of the bridge, Jakushō sees a shishi (lion), a messenger of Manjusri Bodhisattva. The shishi starts to jump through beautiful, fragrant peony flowers and after dancing returns to carrying Manjusri Bodhisattva.
Signed Kajikawa family and red seal
66mm x 71mm
Ojime
A stained ivory bead to simulate red coral.