{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O121284"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O121284/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2021MV5237/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2021MV5237/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2021MV5237","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AR9012","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O121284/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O121284","accessionNumber":"W.452-1916","objectType":"Inrō","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The <i>inro</i> is a container made up of tiers. Japanese men used them because the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono, had no pockets. From the late 1500s onwards, Japanese men wore the <i>inro</i> suspended from their sash by a silk cord and a netsuke (toggle). They originally used it to hold their seal and ink or a supply of medicines. However, it rapidly became a costly fashion accessory of little or no practical use. Most <i>inro</i> are rectangular with gently curving sides. \r\nThe majority of <i>inro</i> were made of lacquer over a core material. However, in some cases, the entire body was carved or formed from a solid piece of material, such as worn and rough wood in this example. This example is decorated with a richly caparisoned elephant in glazed pottery centred on one side of the <i>inro</i>. By using this simple device, the viewer’s eye is cleverly led from one side to the other. The reverse of the <i>inro</i> also bears an inscription that occurs in two Chinese woodblock printed books specialising in inkcakes, <i>Fangshi mopu</i>, by Fang Yulu, published in 1588, and <i>Chengshi moyuan</i>, by Cheng Dayue, published in 1606. \r\n  From the 1700s onwards, many artists signed the <i>inro</i> they made. Although this example is not signed, there are a number of almost identical examples that bear the name of Ogawa Haritsu. Haritsu (1663-1747), also known by his art name Ritsuo, was a talented and versatile artist. He specialised in ceramics, painting and lacquer. Most of his lacquer work has a wood or lacquer ground which he inlaid with a wide variety of materials.","physicalDescription":"Inrō decorated with an elephant, richly laden with ornate trappings and an inscription in archaic characters. The centre of the design is positioned down one of the cord channels. Natural decayed wood with dark grey and gold lacquer in relief, together with ceramic and mother of pearl inlays. The inscription is found in two Chinese woodblock printed books, the 'Fangshi Mopu', published ca. 1588, and the 'Chengshi Moyuan', published in 1606.  ","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"lacquer","id":"AAT14916"},{"text":"earthenware","id":"x29356"},{"text":"mother of pearl","id":"AAT11835"}],"techniques":[{"text":"lacquering","id":"AAT53796"},{"text":"inlay","id":"AAT53850"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Worn wood, grey and gold lacquer, glazed pottery and mother of pearl inlays","categories":[{"text":"Accessories","id":"THES48998"},{"text":"Containers","id":"THES48972"},{"text":"Lacquerware","id":"THES49004"}],"styles":[{"text":"Edo period","id":"AAT106643"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2021MV5237","2006AR9012"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"012","id":"THES361107"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Inro","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1775-1850","earliest":"1775-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Alexander Gift","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"6.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"5.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"2.3","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Inrō decorated with a caparisoned elephant, wood and lacquer, Ritsuo style, Japan, 1775-1850","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"elephants","id":"x30316"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["W.452-1916"],"accessionNumberNum":"452","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1916,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-20","recordCreationDate":"2006-02-20","availableToBook":true}}