| architecture |
| calligraphy |
| ceramics |
| clothing |
| comics |
| gardens |
| lacquerwork |
| literature |
| movies |
| music |
| painting |
| poetry |
| sculpture |
| tea ceremony |
| television |
| theatre |
| weaponry |
| thematic routes |
| timeline |
| the site |
context: lacquerwork > objects > inro > fashion
Sumptuary laws
The popularity of inro was in part a side effect of the rigid sumptuary laws applied to the very low-caste merchants (ranking at the bottom, below peasants and craftsmen) who became a very wealthy section of society as the Edo period wore on: these rich men were restricted on hair-style, on material and style and colour of their kimono and sash, and so on. There was little they could do to show their wealth and sophistication, but these lovely little lacquered boxes were a chance to display their money and their taste to everyone.