The breathtaking full set of 12 inro

context: lacquerwork > artists > shibata zeshin

Shibata Zeshin's set of calendar inro

Many of my favourite inro ever are in this one set by Zeshin, wherein he shows us all he knows about the artform - and that is more than anyone else, ever. A world-historical master of an art at his peak, pulling it all together - it doesn't get any better than this. The set of 12 are numbered for their months, each in some way representing the month in question, often with reference to some sort of festivity. The techniques and styles and shapes are breathtakingly varied. Click on the images for larger versions.

forwards: zeshin the painter