The inro is a tiered container that was traditionally worn by men only. The traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets, and men first used the inro to carry daily necessities. From the late 1500s onwards, men wore it suspended from their sashes by a silk cord and netsuke (toggle). However it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use.
Although lacquer craftsmen could create their own original designs, they also adapted designs by leading painters, past or present. A painting could usually be adapted to one side of an inro quite easily. This example is signed by the lacquer worker, who acknowledges the origin of the design as the painter Kano Tsunenobu (1636-1713). Unfortunately no corresponding painting by Tsunenobu has been found.