Case (Inrō) with Design of Man Blowing on a Brazier to Make Tea

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *inrō*, a compact lacquer case from 18th–19th Japan (spanning late Edo to early Meiji period), served as a stylish accessory for men wearing traditional kimono. Suspended from the waist by a cord, it held small essentials like medicines or seals, secured by a carved netsuke—here, a charming mouse—and a floral ojime bead. The design a man intently blowing on a brazier heat water for tea, capturing a moment of everyday ritual tied to Japan's revered tea culture, from casual enjoyment to the formal *chanoyu* ceremony. Crafted with masterful lacquer techniques, the exterior features glossy *roiro* (mirror-black lacquer) adorned with gold and colored *togidashi*—designs subtly burnished through layers for a luminous effect. The interior gleams with *nashiji* (pearlescent gold flecks resembling nashi pear skin) and *fundame* (smooth gold base), showcasing the intricate, labor-intensive *urushi* lacquer tradition refined over centuries. At just 7.5 cm tall, its diminutive scale belies the artisan's precision. In the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (Bequest of Hope Skillman Schary, 1981), this inrō reflects Meiji-era (1868–1912) craftsmanship amid Japan's modernization, blending utilitarian function with poetic scenes of daily life. It invites us to appreciate how such objects turned personal necessities into wearable art.