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