MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), WITH SIGNATURE SHORINSAI AND WITH RED KAKIHAN (CURSIVE MONOGARM)

Details

A Four-Case Lacquer Inro**
Meiji period (late 19th century), with signature Shorinsai and with red kakihan (cursive monogarm)
Of square section and designed in gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and nashiji as a monk's backpack (oi), the double doors on the front mokume, the area above the doors ornamented with a spray of ivy, interiors nashiji; fitted with a gilt-metal ojime and an ivory netsuke carved as a Chinese lion, with signature Kan
4 3/8in. (11.2cm.) long
With wood box inscribed Go-inro tsuta no hosomichi (Inro: Narrow ivy lane)

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

The monk's backpack alludes to the episode known as Tsuta no hosomichi (Narrow ivy lane) from the ninth chapter of Tales of Ise (10th century) in which a mendicant monk wearing a backpack comes upon an exiled courtier on a mountain pass overgrown with ivy. The courtier asks the monk to carry a letter to his lover in the capital.

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