THE JAPANESE COLLECTION

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