Unknown maker

Meiji period, 19th / 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