101 (previous number) and 3899 (previous number (Design Dept.))
Accession number:
Acc.3032
Object count:
3
Description:
Inro, netsuke, and ojime: The inro is a long wide lacquer box w/ wide oval shape base. Five nesting sections. Gold lacquer ground w/ light relief decor. of flying cranes, a tortoise w/ weed tail (minogame), some rocks, and on the other side a gnarled pine tree, and branches of plum blossoms. The cranes, tortoise, pine tree and rocks are symbols of longevity. Plum added for beauty. Interiors of sections are entirely of speckled gold. Cord guides raised. (a) The dull, rather flat gold ground is of fine powdered gold sprinkled upon the wet lacquer (fundame) The pine tree, and boughs in light relief is of duller sprinkled gold powder (hiramaki-e) highlighted by brighter gold detail and small inlaid rectangles of gold foil on the trunk. (okibarame style). The plum blossoms are of unpolished black lacquer (hana-nuri). The cranes of dull chestnut-brown lacquer (kuri-uro-urushi). The tortise [tortoise], in higher relief, worn and showing red lacquer base. The interior of sections covered entirely by coarse gold sprinkles on black ground and covered by red tinted overcoat of transparent lacquer. (nashiji). The entire inro is worn w/ many small cracks and chips. Some of the gold foil is peeling off. (b) netsuke has large crack. (c) ojime has metal lining of cord holds. The Netsuke (b): large ivory carving representing Fukurokujiu god of longevity. He is standing w/ a child, hold- fan in 1 hand and staff in other. Has large ears, full beard, and elongated head. Medalion [medallion], checkerboard & cloud patterns on garment. Signature on base. + The ojime (c) is a carved ivory bead w/ detailed dragon in sky. L. (a) 9cm. (b) 7.7cm. Dia. (c): 2cm. (a) signed "made by Kajikawa" (family) (b) "Tomomasa" a 19th c. carver.
Donor:
Design Department (UC Berkeley)
Collection place:
Japan
Verbatim coll. place:
Japan
Culture or time period:
Japanese
Collector:
Albert M. Bender
Collection date:
before 1933
Inscription:
(a) signed "made by Kajikawa" (family) (b) "Tomomasa" a 19th c. carver.
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Beads (pierced objects) and Dragons
Function:
2.2 Personal Adornments and Accoutrements
Accession date:
1974
Context of use:
The inro is a multi-purpose article used originally for containing seals used in officiating signatures. They were later adapted for carrying various personal articles and toiletries incl. medicines, and herbs. For lack of a pocket, the netsuke was thrust thru the sash of the kimono for the support of the inro. The ojime kept the compartments closed by tightening the cords.