Naotsugu

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

1615-1912

Inro

A two-case inro in shibuichi (mixed bronze and silver) gold, silver, copper and shakudo with an interior of gilt silver. The inro depicts a dancer in the traditional shishi or lion dance costume at new year while beating a drum. Around the new year, the lion dance takes place to wish people good luck and fortune. Often the dancer will bite onlookers’ heads or limbs for good luck. On the rear of the inro is a pine tree with inlaid gold and silver in the takazogan technique and hand chiselled detail.

The inro has a silver tablet on the back with the name Naotsugu. There were several metalworkers with this name during the 18th and 19th century but this inro was most likely by a known artist by the name Naotsugu that used the Hamano-style during the late 19th century.

Signed Naotsugu

65mm x 36mm

Ojime

Ivory ojime bead.