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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Inro and Sagemono: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1452750

Please refer to our stock # 2021-933 when inquiring.

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GALERIE TIAGO
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75007 Paris - France
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Hishaku-gata style yatate in bronze with brown patina. The hishaku-gata style was developed at the beginning of the Edo era, in the 17th century. It is characterized by an ink compartment (sumi tsubo) in the shape of a ladle. Here it is decorated with a frog.
The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape of a frog can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

The yatate is a travel writing kit, used in Japan from the second half of the 13th century (Muromachi period, 1333-1568) to the beginning of the 20th century. It is part, like the inrô, of the sagemono: something that can be attached to the obi (belt). It consists of an ink compartment (sumi tsubo) and a case for the brush. Towards the end of the Edo period (1604-1868), the brush case was connected to the ink compartment and also served as a netsuke to be attached to the belt.
Calligraphy requires many instruments such as brush, ink stone, water cup, which are found in the writing box called suzuribako. In order to be transportable, the yatate was developed for itinerants like warriors, pilgrims, travelers or merchants.

Japan - Late Edo period (1612-1868)
Height: 1.6 in. (4 cm) - Length: 6.3 in. (16.5 cm) - Width: 1.1 in. (3.5 cm)