Inrō
The small lacquered box in several sections that hung from the kimono sash.
The kimono has no pockets, so small things such as medicine and seals were carried in an inrō that hung from the sash. It was held in place by a cord and a netsuke that was tucked behind the sash.
During the Edo period the inrō became a jewel for men, with rich lacquer decoration. It shows the high point of Japanese lacquer art.
Materials: Lacquer with inlays of gold, mother-of-pearl and shell; cord and netsuke
Manufacture: Made by lacquer masters in Japan, with several compartments held together by a cord.
The stacked compartments with lacquer decoration.
The cord that runs through the compartments.
The netsuke, the toggle that fastens the box to the sash.