Located in Newark, England
This Japanese tsuishu lacquer inro by Zonsei dates to the late Edo period, circa 1850. Of traditional four-case form, the inro is carved throughout in deep cinnabar lacquer (tsuishu), with each side centred by a finely detailed figural scene surrounded by deeply carved scrolling foliage.
One side depicts the Daoist immortal Tekkai Sennin, known in China as Tie Guai Li or Iron-Crutch Li. He is shown as a bearded figure exhaling a plume of smoke or mist containing a miniature image of his own spirit, referring to the legend of his ability to project his soul beyond the physical body.. The opposing side shows two seated figures engaged in a game of go (碁) also known as igo 囲碁, the traditional Japanese board game long associated with scholarship and strategy.
The borders and edges are richly carved with continuous scrolling foliage, creating a dense decorative surface that extends across the entire body of the inro. It is signed 村靖 (Zonsei) with kao, identifying the work of the recognised tsuishu and tsuikoku lacquer artist.
The inro retains its original carved ojime bead decorated with rabbits and is complete with a finely carved seated Daruma netsuke displaying...
Category
1850s Japanese Edo Antique Lacquer