Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), usually considered to have been one of the finest of the master Japanese lacquer artists, was noted for his originality, versatility and expert craftsmanship. Zeshin was fond of creating lacquer which simulated the texture of other materials, such as metal, leather, pottery, etc. He paid strict attention to the details of small things, and his designs were usually simple and frequently humorous. In general, his works were bold, artistic, imaginative, well planned and meticulously executed, with great emphasis on finish and realistic detail. While his subject matter was quite diverse, Zeshin is perhaps most noted for his whimsical portrayal of the small animal and insect aspects of nature, and the positioning of the two rabbits on this inro is clearly in his style. (See “Inro and Other Miniature Forms of Japanese Lacquer Art” by Melvin and Betty Jahss.) Inro are small Japanese containers made in several sections which are fitted on top of each other so perfectly that the joints are hardly noticeable. They required great skill to craft. They were carried on the right hip, suspended from the obi with a double silk cord attached to a netsuke. A small bead (ojime) held the cords together just below the obi. The earliest inro were used for containing seals; however, in later they were used as medicine boxes.

CONDITION is excellent, with only a minor dent on the bottom.

DIMENSIONS: 2 ¾” wide, 2 ¼” high, 7/8” deep.