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context: lacquerwork > objects
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A lead snake on a lacquer inro |
Inro
Inro are a rare case of a major artform confined to one nation. They are a little smaller than a cigarette packet (or between that size and a Zippo*), horizontally sectioned into say five parts, held together by a good fit and a string running through channels at each side, the string attached then to a tiny carving called a netsuke. The cord ran under the sash, the netsuke holding it in place, the inro dangling.
* There were larger ones made for enormous sumo wrestlers, and for actors who wanted them seen from the audience, and tiny ones for children, for special occasions.