The Trudy and John Cohen Collection of

JAPANESE INRO & OJIME

 
With the full descriptions

To Find the Original Large Photographs
 Note the identity (letter and number) found in the description

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 1

L10          L1          L2          L12

Please note the netsuke photographs, with close ups of signatures will be found in the Japanese netsuke section N1 - N57

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 2

L9          L8          L3

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 3

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 4

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 5

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 6

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 7

Inro With Netsuke Group Box 8

Rats Stealing Eggs Inro

Shibata Zeshin four case inro.

L1

A good and rare four case tan lacquer Inro. The tan ground is decorated with three rats stealing eggs. One pulls the tail of another, which lies on its back holding an egg, the third is peering into the bowl of eggs. All in shades of gold, silver, and natural coloured takamakie with nashiji interior.

Signed: Zeshin (Shibata was his family name) probably an early work.
Provenance: Sotheby's 1971.
Dimensions: 7cm long x 5.8cm wide

Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891) was one of the foremost lacquerers of the 19th century, who was also adept as a painter and wood-block-print designer. He studied lacquer under Koma Kansai II (see the Sambaso dancer inro L2).

Ojime: Crushed eggshell.

Netsuke: Wood Netsuke of a mouse eating a bean, the pod beneath him.  (NL1)
Japan, late 19th century
Signed: Tomokazu, Gifu
Published: Item (221) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Zodiac sign / Rat

Jugyoku & Kansai six case inro.

L2

A six case Inro. The scene depicted is that of a Sambaso dancer of the No Theatre in front of a balcony. In his right hand he holds a cluster of small bells, and in the left, a fan on a roiro ground.  His garments are rendered in red lacquer, green stained ivory, and horn. The belt and shoes, are in mother of pearl, the hands and neck in ivory. The mask, fan, bells, and hat are inlaid in metal. The balcony is gold takamakie and the planks in gold togidashi. The reverse shows balcony railings and a pine branch all in gold takamakie, togidashi, and kirikane.

Signed: In a red lacquer reserve Jugyoku and also signed in gold lacquer Kansai.
Provenance: Eskenazi 1981.
Dimensions: 9.3cm long x 4.8cm wide

The Inro is a rare collaboration of two artists, Koma Kansai II, a lacquerer who died in 1835, and Ryukosai Jugyoku, a noted netsuke artist from Edo.

Ojime: Gilded metal with raised fruit and foliage.

Netsuke: Kagamibuta, of ivory and metal. The plain ivory case enclosing a metal plate, with relief decoration of two courtiers playing musical instruments on a balcony.  (NL2)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Shumin

Raiko Killing the Giant Spider Inro

Jokasai four case inro.

L3

A four case red Inro. The red lacquer ground is decorated in hiramakie with Raiko slaying a giant spider.

Signed: Jokasai
Provenance: Spinks
Published: Item 346 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.5cm long x 6.2cm wide

A number of successive generations of the Yamada family used the name Jokasai, from the end of the 17th through the 19th century. The present example is a fine work by one of the later members of the family.

Ojime: Coral bead

Netsuke: Ivory, wood and coral netsuke of a seated child holding a tub with a plant.  (NL3)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Tomochika, Edo

Koma Kyuhaku four case inro.

L4

A four case Inro decorated in hiramakie on a roiro ground with Rosei dreaming, his fan inlaid with very thin, but lively, aogai to show the face behind. The reverse depicting the subject of his dream, a court procession, all in togidashi.

Signed: Koma Kyuhaku
Provenance: Christies
Published: Item 320 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.5cm long x 6cm wide

There were six successive generations of the Koma family of lacquerers using the name Kyuhaku, from the end of the 17th through the 19th century. The subect, the dream of Rosei, was a favourite of them all and the present example probably dates from the early part of the 19th century.

Ojime: Carved layers of black, yellow and red lacquer with mountain landscape.

Netsuke: A wood netsuke of a man drawing a sword from its scabbard, the sword in steel is revealed when the scabbard is moved.  (NL4)
Japan, late 18th century
Signed: Minko, Tsu

Unsigned four case inro.

L5

A good four case Inro. The roiro ground decorated with a variety of insects in gold and red lacquer, as well as mother of pearl.

Signed: Unsigned.
Provenance: George A. Cohen.
Published: Item 282 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.5cm long x 4.6cm wide

Ojime: Metal in the form of a lotus seed pod with a frog on one side. Signed: Tenmin.

Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the ivory bowl with metal plate, with raised decoration in various metals, of a fly caught in a spider's web.  (NL5)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned  

Lotus seed pod Ojime on Butterfly Inro.

L5

Ojime: Metal in the form of a lotus seed pod with a frog on one side. Signed: Tenmin.

Signed: Unsigned.
Provenance: George A. Cohen.

To More Japanese Ojime

Nemoto Shibayama three case inro.

L6

A three case gold Inro with Shibayama decoration, on a kinji ground, depicting a man, in a kago, visiting Geisha seen on the reverse.

Signed: Nemoto
Provenance: Sydney Moss
Published: Item 319 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 10.5cm long x 7.3cm wide

A richly decorated inro, in typical Shibayama style, made at the end of the 19th century

Ojime: Pierced and carved ivory.

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of a fallen warrior possibly recalling happier times.  (NL6)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Gyokusen, Edo

Theatrical Inro

Tokusai Shibayama four case inro.

L7

A four case gold Inro richly decorated, in Shibayama style with actors in a play. 

Signed: On a red seal Tokusai
Provenance: D. Wright
Published: Front cover and item 352 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.7cm long x 6.8cm wide

Ojime: Red lacquer with oval pattern decoration.

Netsuke: A quaint lacquer netsuke of a boy holding a box.  (NL7)
Japan, late 19th century
Signed: Unsigned
Published: Front cover and item 352 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

The Archer Inro

Noriyuki metalwork four case inro.

L8

A gold lacquer Inro of an outdoor stage, with exceptional applied metalwork, of an actor firing his bow at another who is shown on the reverse, crouching down, protecting a monkey at his side.

Although seen in profile, the archer has full face detail.

Signed: On a metal tablet Noriyuki (for the metalwork), and Hanabusa Itcho sho (after the design by Hanabusa Itcho)
Provenance: Sotheby's.
Published: Item 307 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.5cm long x 5.8cm wide

Hamano Noriyuki was chiefly a maker of sword fittings in Edo, during the latter part of the 18th century. The present example is almost certainly not by him, but by a follower.

Ojime: Metal oval shape with raised dragons.

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of two musicians.  (NL8)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Ryomin, Edo

Seven Sages Inro

Masanari & Kajikawa Saku three case inro.

L9

A three case togidashi Inro, roiro ground, and with nashiji interiors. Decorated with the seven sages of the bamboo grove (Chikurin shichi Kenjin, the Chinese Chuh lin ts'i hien), four of whom appear on the front, and three on the reverse, in a landscape with a bridge over a river with bamboo on the banks.

Signed: Shiomi Masanari in seal form and Kajikawa saku in kanji.
Provenance: Eskenazi 1981
Dimensions: 8.4cm long x 7cm wide

It is strange to find the signatures of both Kajikawa (Family name) and Shiomi Masanari on the same Inro. The most likely cause is that the work is by one, after the other, although it is unclear whose was the original design.

Ojime: Carved nut with the seven sages.

Netsuke: Ivory netsuke of the seven sages of the bamboo grove.  (NL9)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Ryuei with kakihan 

Jogahana Inro

Shunsho four case inro.

L10

Jogahana. A four case togidashi Inro with nashiji interiors. Decorated with two figures. One in long flowing robes who appears in the dream of the other, who sits beside rocks, with a flowering tree, and stylized waves, in the landscape background.

Japan, 18th century
Signed: Shunsho.
Provenance: George Lazarnick Collection, Eskenazi 1981
Dimensions: 10.4cm long x 6.6cm wide

The name Shunsho is seen on a number of Inro, from the 17th century onwards, as it was used by at least twelve successive generations, all of whom specialised in the togidashi technique. The present example is by one of the later members of the family, working in the late 18th or early 19th century.

Ojime: Carved red lacquer showing carp amongst the waves.

Manju: Ivory manju with applied gold figures dancing in the rain.  (NL10)

Japan, 19th century

Signed: Unsigned

Shiomi Masanari four case inro.

L11

A red four case togidashi Inro. Decorated on the red ground, lightly powdered in gold, with a boy playing the flute whilst sitting beside an ox.

Signed: Shiomi Masanari.
Provenance: Eskenazi.
Published: Item 321 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.2cm long x 5cm wide

The Shiomi family of lacquerers, most of whom used the name Masanari, started working in the late 17th century and continued through to the first few years of the 20th century. The Present example is undoubtedly by one of the later members of the family.

Ojime: Gilt metal with raised floral design.

Manju: Ivory openwork manju carved with a boy playing the flute whilst sitting on an ox. The reverse similarly carved with Chinnan and a dragon.  (NL11)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Zodiac sign / Bullock / Dragon

Shiomi Masanari four case inro.

L12

A four case gold togidashi Inro decorated with a Sarumawashi (monkey trainer) wearing a large hat and fine garments, in the Chinese style, possibly posing as an archer. On the reverse a monkey dressed in the full costume of a Sambaso dancer of the No theatre. The details of their richly decorated clothes rendered in very fine Somada style.

Japan, 18th Century.
Signed: Shiomi Masanari in a rectangular red lacquer seal.
Provenance: Eskenazi 1981
Dimensions: 7.8cm long x 5.3cm wide

The Shiomi family of lacquerers, most of whom used the name Masanari, started working in the late 17th century and continued through to the first few years of the 20th century. The Present example is undoubtedly by one of the later members of the family.

Ojime: Raised and pierced dark metal ojime.

Netsuke: An ivory netsuke in the form of sleeping monkey trainer, contentedly dreaming, as his pet warily steals from his food basket.  (NL12)
Japan, 18th Century
Signed: Unsigned
Published: Item 94 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Zodiac sign / Monkey

Tortoise Inro

Three Case Wood Inro Style of Hidari Issan.

L13

A three case inro, style of Hidari Issan, of carved wood in the form of a tortoise, its pierced claws forming runners for the suspension cord, eyes inlaid in umoregi (lignite:jet).

Signed: but not known, (on an inlaid ivory plaque).
Provenance: G. Moss
Published: Item 291 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8cm long x 5.4cm wide

Hidari (left handed) Issan worked in Aizu, in Iwashiro province and is chiefly known as a maker of netsuke.

Ojime: Carved wood in the form of two frogs.

Manju: A rare stag-antler manju decorated with insects.  (NL13)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Koku (Ozaki Kokusai), Asakusa

Enshu three case inro.

L14

A three case Tsuishu red lacquer inro finely carved with immortals on a gyobu background.

Signed: Enshu (in seal form)
Provenance: D. Wright
Published: Item 287 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 10cm long x 7.3cm wide

Enshu was a late member of the Koma family of lacquer artists, who worked in Edo during the latter part of the Meiji period. The present example is recorded in E.A.Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, p.51.

Ojime: Metal in the form of a nobleman with gilt details.

Manju: Marine ivory manju carved with Chinnan with his dragon coming out of his bowl.  (NL14)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Hakugyoku, Edo

Zodiac sign / Dragon

Bamboo Blind Inro

Kyorinsai four case inro.

L15

A four case inro decorated in rich gold and silver hiramakie with flowering cherry seen against a large bamboo blind, among hazy mura-nashi-ji.

Signed: Hasegawa Kyorinsai
Provenance: Tomkinson collection
Published: Item 347 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8.4cm long x 5.4cm wide

Kyorinsai is one of the Go (art names) of Hasegawa Shigeyoshi II, a fine lacquer artist of the 19th century.

Ojime: Bronze ojime decorated in gold and various metals with flowering prunus.  

Japan, 18th century
Signed: Ryumin
Provenance: Christie's
Published: Item 347 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

Netsuke: Kagamibuta, the gold plate engraved with a blossoming tree in the rain.  (NL15)
Japan, 19th century 

Ryumin Ojime

Ojime on a Kyorinsai four case inro.

L15

Bronze ojime decorated in gold and various metals with flowering prunus.

Japan, 18th century
Signed: Ryumin
Provenance: Christie's
Published: Item 347 (ojime) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.

See the Bamboo Blind Inro (L15) Japanese lacquer inro & boxes section.

To More Japanese Ojime

Birds in Battle Inro

Yasutsugu three case inro.

L16

A three case gold lacquer inro extensively decorated in Shibayama style with 'birds in battle'.

Signed: Yasutsugu (on a red seal tablet). The signature Yasutsugu can also be read Ekiji.
Provenance: Depagne
Published: Item 348 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 9.7cm long x 6.5cm wide

Little is known of Yasutsugu (Ekiji), the present example being recorded in E.A.Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, p.50.

Ojime: Round metal with overall raised floral decoration.

Manju: Ivory manju carved and pierced with an egret and flowers.  (NL16)
Japan, 19th century
Signed: Unsigned

Kajikawa four case inro.

L17

A four case brown lacquer inro decorated with an owl, in silver, on a prunus tree of pure gold. The reverse with a stream and full moon in silver.

Signed: Kajikawa
Provenance: Fletcher collection, Glendining
Published: Item 293 (inro) 'In Search of Netsuke and Inro' by George A. Cohen.
Dimensions: 8cm long x 4.5cm wide.

Ojime: Gilt pierced metal decorated with flowers.

Netsuke: A fine wood netsuke of a tree peony  (NL17)
Japan, 19th century

Signed: Somin, Ichirin botan, shinsha, Kiyo. (translation: Kiyo copied faithfully a single stem peony by Somin).