Case (Inrō) with Design of a Teahouse (obverse) Three Travelers En Route (reverse)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *inrō*, a compact lacquer case from Japan's Edo period (16151868), was crafted in the 19th century attributed to the renowned lacquer artist Yamada Jōkasai (1681–1704), likely his workshop or followers. Measuring just over 3 inches tall, it served as a fashionable accessory for men, suspended from the kimono sash to hold medicines, seals, or tobacco. The obverse features a lively teahouse scene with men and women gathered around cauldrons, evoking social bustle of Edo's teahouses, while the reverse depicts three travelers en route, capturing the era's growing mobility and wanderlust. Masterfully decorated with advanced *makie* techniques, the piece showcases sprinkled *hiramakie* (flat gold lacquer), polished *takamakie* relief for dimensional depth, and shimmering *nashiji* (pear-skin speckled gold). It includes an ivory and gold lacquer *ojime* bead to secure the cords and a carved wooden bird *netsuke* signed by Shuko, which acts as a toggle—transforming the inrō into wearable miniature art. In Edo Japan, amid economic prosperity, inrō evolved from practical pouches into status symbols for samurai and merchants, rivaling sword fittings in craftsmanship. This Rogers Fund acquisition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art highlights lacquer's pinnacle, blending utility, storytelling, and opulence in a pocket-sized jewel.