Inro thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Inro

ca. 1775-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The inro is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men wore the inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle). They originally used it to hold their seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However, it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use. Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides.
The main decoration was on the outside surfaces. In rare cases, makers also decorated the the risers, which were only seen when the tiered sections were separated. On this inro, the maker has decorated the outside with peonies in lacquer and oil painting. By contrast, the risers show bamboo, waves and clouds in lacquer imitating ink painting. In this way the maker has provided a contrast in the colour, technique, height and texture of the decoration.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Polychrome lacquer and oil painting, the lacquer imitating ink painting
Brief description
Inro, polychrome lacquer and oil painting, black and silver lacquer, flowers, ca.1775-1850
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.4cm
  • Width: 5.2cm
  • Depth: 2.0cm
Style
Credit line
Pfungst Gift
Subject depicted
Summary
The inro is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men wore the inro suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle). They originally used it to hold their seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However, it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use. Most inro are rectangular with gently curving sides.
The main decoration was on the outside surfaces. In rare cases, makers also decorated the the risers, which were only seen when the tiered sections were separated. On this inro, the maker has decorated the outside with peonies in lacquer and oil painting. By contrast, the risers show bamboo, waves and clouds in lacquer imitating ink painting. In this way the maker has provided a contrast in the colour, technique, height and texture of the decoration.
Collection
Accession number
W.173-1922

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 7, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest