Metal Inrō with Flower Medallions
Japan mid-19th century
/ The MET
Japan mid-19th century
/ The MET
January 15, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Metal Inrō with Flower Medallions
Japan mid-19th century
/ The MET
Japan mid-19th century
/ The MET
Case (Inro) with Design of Grasshopper on Stalk of Flowering Lily
Nomura Chōkei Japanese
Nomura Chōkei Japanese
December 17, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Case (Inro) with Design of Grasshopper on Stalk of Flowering Lily
Nomura Chōkei Japanese
Nomura Chōkei Japanese
Happy New Year! This is the Year of the Snake.
January 1, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Happy New Year! This is the Year of the Snake.
Case (Inrō) with Design of Squid, Shells and Seaweed
Hara Yōyūsai 原羊遊斎 Japanese early 19th century
Hara Yōyūsai 原羊遊斎 Japanese early 19th century
November 25, 2024 at 4:15 AM
Case (Inrō) with Design of Squid, Shells and Seaweed
Hara Yōyūsai 原羊遊斎 Japanese early 19th century
Hara Yōyūsai 原羊遊斎 Japanese early 19th century
An maki-e Inro by Hara Yoyusai with a snowflake crystal motif. Very cool. Hard to believe it's from 300 years ago.
June 2, 2025 at 1:30 AM
An maki-e Inro by Hara Yoyusai with a snowflake crystal motif. Very cool. Hard to believe it's from 300 years ago.
An inro featuring a moon and bat design, found in a German inro collector's catalog. It's so cool!
January 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
An inro featuring a moon and bat design, found in a German inro collector's catalog. It's so cool!
Case (Inro) with Pheonix and Paulownia Tree
Japan 19th century
/The MET
Japan 19th century
/The MET
February 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Case (Inro) with Pheonix and Paulownia Tree
Japan 19th century
/The MET
Japan 19th century
/The MET
I happened upon a catalogue of inrō in the foreign books section of Maruzen in Tokyo. It showcases 253 elegant, dignified, and exquisitely crafted inrō. Finding it felt like discovering a treasure.
March 8, 2026 at 5:53 AM
I happened upon a catalogue of inrō in the foreign books section of Maruzen in Tokyo. It showcases 253 elegant, dignified, and exquisitely crafted inrō. Finding it felt like discovering a treasure.
Inro are traditional Japanese portable containers worn suspended from the obi (sash) of a kimono. These multi-compartment cases held personal items like medicines, seals, or money. Made from wood, they were secured with silk cords and often featured decorative netsuke toggles.
June 5, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Inro are traditional Japanese portable containers worn suspended from the obi (sash) of a kimono. These multi-compartment cases held personal items like medicines, seals, or money. Made from wood, they were secured with silk cords and often featured decorative netsuke toggles.
A beautiful maki-e inro—perfect for the start of the Year of the Horse🐴
Inro with Design of Five Playing Horses / The MET
Inro with Design of Five Playing Horses / The MET
January 5, 2026 at 3:43 AM
A beautiful maki-e inro—perfect for the start of the Year of the Horse🐴
Inro with Design of Five Playing Horses / The MET
Inro with Design of Five Playing Horses / The MET
Inrō with Design of Grasshopper on Stalk of Flowering Lily
by Nomura Chōkei Japanese
18th–19th century / The MET
by Nomura Chōkei Japanese
18th–19th century / The MET
August 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Inrō with Design of Grasshopper on Stalk of Flowering Lily
by Nomura Chōkei Japanese
18th–19th century / The MET
by Nomura Chōkei Japanese
18th–19th century / The MET
Maki-e inro decorated with a snake and a small bird /Koma Kansai
The Year of the Snake begins next year in the Chinese/Japanese zodiac.
The Year of the Snake begins next year in the Chinese/Japanese zodiac.
December 27, 2024 at 8:07 AM
Maki-e inro decorated with a snake and a small bird /Koma Kansai
The Year of the Snake begins next year in the Chinese/Japanese zodiac.
The Year of the Snake begins next year in the Chinese/Japanese zodiac.
Inrō with Snail on Bamboo
by Ganbun Japanese
mid-19th century
While this appears to be real bamboo, it's actually a bamboo-like texture created through urushi techniques.
by Ganbun Japanese
mid-19th century
While this appears to be real bamboo, it's actually a bamboo-like texture created through urushi techniques.
December 3, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Inrō with Snail on Bamboo
by Ganbun Japanese
mid-19th century
While this appears to be real bamboo, it's actually a bamboo-like texture created through urushi techniques.
by Ganbun Japanese
mid-19th century
While this appears to be real bamboo, it's actually a bamboo-like texture created through urushi techniques.
Inro Medicine Case in Maki-e with Design of Curtain and Autumn Leaves Signed Koma Kyuhaku saku
/ Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
7.6×8.2×2.0cm
/ Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
7.6×8.2×2.0cm
June 25, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Inro Medicine Case in Maki-e with Design of Curtain and Autumn Leaves Signed Koma Kyuhaku saku
/ Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
7.6×8.2×2.0cm
/ Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
7.6×8.2×2.0cm
Inro Medicine Case in Maki-e with Design of Iris
Signed Kajikawa saku (with seal Ei)
7.6×5.8×1.9cm
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Signed Kajikawa saku (with seal Ei)
7.6×5.8×1.9cm
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
January 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Inro Medicine Case in Maki-e with Design of Iris
Signed Kajikawa saku (with seal Ei)
7.6×5.8×1.9cm
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Signed Kajikawa saku (with seal Ei)
7.6×5.8×1.9cm
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
Inro made with 3D printer (probably the world's first).
The material is PLA, so it's biodegradable. I will continue prototyping based on this.
The material is PLA, so it's biodegradable. I will continue prototyping based on this.
December 28, 2024 at 7:39 AM
Inro made with 3D printer (probably the world's first).
The material is PLA, so it's biodegradable. I will continue prototyping based on this.
The material is PLA, so it's biodegradable. I will continue prototyping based on this.
Case (Inrō) with Design of Dragonfly (obverse); Praying Mantis (reverse) Japan 19th century / excecuor unknown
November 28, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Case (Inrō) with Design of Dragonfly (obverse); Praying Mantis (reverse) Japan 19th century / excecuor unknown
Inro Case in Maki-e with Design of Orchid Signed Kanko / Kajikawa Bunryusai
9.7×6.1×1.8cm
/Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
9.7×6.1×1.8cm
/Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
March 1, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Inro Case in Maki-e with Design of Orchid Signed Kanko / Kajikawa Bunryusai
9.7×6.1×1.8cm
/Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
9.7×6.1×1.8cm
/Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
I'm looking through a catalog of masterpiece inro. I'm overwhelmed by the incredible urushi techniques of the craftsmen of the past.
While we have various convenient tools and machines today, I deeply respect these artisans who created such works without them.
While we have various convenient tools and machines today, I deeply respect these artisans who created such works without them.
February 21, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I'm looking through a catalog of masterpiece inro. I'm overwhelmed by the incredible urushi techniques of the craftsmen of the past.
While we have various convenient tools and machines today, I deeply respect these artisans who created such works without them.
While we have various convenient tools and machines today, I deeply respect these artisans who created such works without them.
Inro with Design of Poppies
Japan
Edo period
Dimensions: H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm)
/ The MET
Japan
Edo period
Dimensions: H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm)
/ The MET
February 9, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Inro with Design of Poppies
Japan
Edo period
Dimensions: H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm)
/ The MET
Japan
Edo period
Dimensions: H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm)
/ The MET
A few months ago, a Chinese customer asked if we could make an inro. After researching various production methods and providing a cost estimate, they declined, saying it was too expensive. Not wanting to waste the time spent researching, we decided to make them in our workshop anyway.
December 25, 2024 at 12:47 PM
A few months ago, a Chinese customer asked if we could make an inro. After researching various production methods and providing a cost estimate, they declined, saying it was too expensive. Not wanting to waste the time spent researching, we decided to make them in our workshop anyway.
Inrō with Design of Blossoming Plum Tree
An inro with maki-e decoration by Sakai Hoitsu and Hara Yoyusai. This is my favorite inro. This masterpiece is housed not in Japan, but at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An inro with maki-e decoration by Sakai Hoitsu and Hara Yoyusai. This is my favorite inro. This masterpiece is housed not in Japan, but at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
October 27, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Inrō with Design of Blossoming Plum Tree
An inro with maki-e decoration by Sakai Hoitsu and Hara Yoyusai. This is my favorite inro. This masterpiece is housed not in Japan, but at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An inro with maki-e decoration by Sakai Hoitsu and Hara Yoyusai. This is my favorite inro. This masterpiece is housed not in Japan, but at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Inro with Design of Eulalia Grass and Deer
Japan 19th century
H. 4 7/16 in. (11.2 cm); W. 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm); D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
The Met
The intricately carved netsuke featuring a hawk is also magnificent.
Japan 19th century
H. 4 7/16 in. (11.2 cm); W. 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm); D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
The Met
The intricately carved netsuke featuring a hawk is also magnificent.
January 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Inro with Design of Eulalia Grass and Deer
Japan 19th century
H. 4 7/16 in. (11.2 cm); W. 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm); D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
The Met
The intricately carved netsuke featuring a hawk is also magnificent.
Japan 19th century
H. 4 7/16 in. (11.2 cm); W. 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm); D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
The Met
The intricately carved netsuke featuring a hawk is also magnificent.
Case (Inrō) with Design of Clamshells and Fireflies
Koma Yasutada Japanese
late 18th century / The MET
Koma Yasutada Japanese
late 18th century / The MET
January 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Case (Inrō) with Design of Clamshells and Fireflies
Koma Yasutada Japanese
late 18th century / The MET
Koma Yasutada Japanese
late 18th century / The MET
I acquired two books about inro. One was written by Raymond Bushell in 1979, and the other by the director of the KiyomizuSannenzaka Museum.
Unfortunately, there are very few inro specialists in Japan, and most collections are overseas.
Unfortunately, there are very few inro specialists in Japan, and most collections are overseas.
December 25, 2024 at 12:38 PM
I acquired two books about inro. One was written by Raymond Bushell in 1979, and the other by the director of the KiyomizuSannenzaka Museum.
Unfortunately, there are very few inro specialists in Japan, and most collections are overseas.
Unfortunately, there are very few inro specialists in Japan, and most collections are overseas.