Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro with Inlays by Kajikawa

A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate design with three unfolded fans on the front and two on the back: each reveals a vignette landscape scenery, likely real places in Japan. Using a combination of hiramaki-e and slight takamaki-e, the artist deftly created the pictures with fine details, rendering the inro as a miniature artwork...

A fine Japanese miniature kodansu constructed from Kaki wood (Persimmon) circa 19th century, late Meiji period. With its expressive exotic wood grains and exposed tenon construction,...

A three-case lacquered Inro by Yamada Family circa 18th-19th century Edo period. The inro with slight rounded form is of Kano style and vividly depicts a dragon slithering among the ink clouds on a gold background. Sumi-e togidashi (ink togidashi) technique, in combination with Hiramaki-e, were employed to create the dreamy ambience of this piece. The dragon has a painterly appearance inspired by Chinese ink painting that was often seen on the Japanese folding screens. The back of the Inro was sparsely decorated with the shifting patterns of the darkening clouds with an emphasis on the space intentionally left empty. Jokasai was signed to the base. On the front of the inro there is another miniature signature Hakugyoku Hogen, which is one of names used by Kano Michinobu (1730-1790). The dragon is evidently one of his designs (see reference below). Established by a member of Yamada family in the 17th century, the clan was one of the most prominent lacquer artisanal family for the next 200 years until the end of Edo period in the 19th century. Most members signed their work simply with Jokasai making the identification of the individual artists somewhat impossible. The current Inro on offer, compared to many other pieces by Jokasai, has an uncommon Kano style done in Sumi-e togidashi. Another unusual feature of this piece is that the interiors of the inro was decorated with an interesting gold mosaic inlays (kirigane) on a dark lacquer background, giving it a jewel like quality. For another Inro by Jokasai of a similar style using Sumi-e togidashi but depicts a tiger, see Wrangham collection, no.353, which was offered for sale as lot 256 in Bonham's London Auction: The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I. 9 Nov 2010. For an ink scroll...

A four-case lacquered inro by Koma Koryu circa 19th century late Edo period. The inro features a pair of Chinese mandarin duck resting under a bundle of blooming irises on the pond. ...

A Japanese black lacquer box with mother of pearl inlays circa early 20th century, end of Meiji period. It was likely to be used to store inkstone or other scholarly items. The piece displays several interesting characteristics that appear puzzling initially. First, the form is not typical Japanese, but more Chinese and Korean, with its scalloped base. Second, the decoration of MOP inlays also suggests a Korean and Chinese affiliation, especially with the linear borders and the scrolling cloud patters on the sides of the box. These two observations suggest that the box may be from Ryukyu Island instead of Japanese mainland. Third, strikingly in the center of the cover, a bold quarterly floral pattern outlined with MOP was filled with a striking mottled red lacquer using tsugaru nuri...

This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...

Late 18th century Inro by Kajikawa. Edo period Beautiful inro in gold lacquer representing a continuous landscape on both sides. The interior in Nashiji lacquer. Some small traces...

Signed: “Kajikawa saku” and with a red pot seal Height: 3 1/8in (7.9cm) Provenance: Michael Tomkinson Collection Leonard Haber Collection Literature: Michael Tomkinson, A Japanese Collection, London: George Allen, 1898, no. 300 Each case with slightly recessed joints and with different grounds, including kinji, nashiji, togidashi maki-e and gyobu-nashiji, on the obverse decorated with a treasure ship laden with the attributes of the Seven Gods...

Inro with four gold lacquer boxes, decorated with a lake landscape. Accompanied by a bronze ryusa manju. Small boxes formed of compartments that fit one on top of the other, inro (? ?) are traditional Japanese clothing...

Japanese Inro from the Edo period (1615-1868) created by Kajikawa. Beautiful Inro, created in Japan by one of the Kajikawa family during the Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1810. Has been carefully crafted in carved precious wood with applications of gilding maki-e and decorated with Japonism patterns. All dan trays are attached together with a himo cord. The detailed craftsmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Period: Edo period (1615-1868). Shogunate. Approximate Date: 1790-1810 Motif: A family of birds consisting of a cockerel, the hen and three chicks. Drawers: Five. Shape: Rectangular navette. Technique: Carved wood, lacquer and decorated in iroe-hiramaki-e on a gold ground. Ojime: 15mm 20mm, oval carved from natural translucent agate. Netsuke: None Weight: 47.70 Grams. Measurements: Inro is 78 mm by 55 mm by 18 mm (3.07 x 2.17 x 0.71 Inches). Signatures: Kajikawa Saku, in the underside with the signature KAJIKAWA. By a member of the Kajikawa family, signed Kajikawa 梶川 Japan, late 18th century to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868). The Kajikawa family Kajikawa family, flourished in the 19th century, they was Japanese lacquerware artists whose school in Edo (now Tokyo) flourished for more than 200 years. This family is perhaps the most famous of all the dynasties of Japanese lacquer artists, and certainly the name most often found on inro. The family is said to have been founded by Hikobei at Edo in the early 17th century, although some claim that the family’s great reputation really stemmed from his son and pupil Kyujiro. In any event, Hikobei worked for the shogunate, as did his successors until well into the 19th century. Kijirō excelled in designing particularly delicate lacquer inrō, portable medicine cases...

Japanese inro with two compartments, in maki-è lacquer with nashiji decorations and circular reserves depicting flowers and leaves. Coral colored ojime and lacquer manju netsuke. Si...

A fine Japanese export red lacquer box with Masonic symbols Kyoto/Nagasaki, 1800-1820 Red lacquer decorated with scattered flowers and flying birds with long tails in gold, wit...