The inro is a tiered container used by men only since the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late sixteenth century onwards, inro were worn suspended from the sash by a silk cord and netsuke (toggle). Although it was originally designed to hold the individual's seal and ink or a supply of medicines, the inro rapidly became a costly fashion accessory with little or no practical function.
From the mid-eighteenth century onwards, craftsmen increasingly sought interesting and inventive ways to exploit the small and limited size of the inro. One method of achieving this was by continuing a design from one side over to another. On this inro, the body of the crayfish is shown on the main side, while its antennae extend over the top and side, thus cleverly drawing the viewer's eye round.