Inro de crisantemos en maki-e dorado del periodo Edo, motivo kiku sobre laca urushi negra, 8.5 cm

Chrysanthemums, Japan's flower of long life and of the imperial house, bloom across this Edo-period inro in gold maki-e on black urushi. Their deliberately uneven rhythm reflects late Edo taste, and the piece unites the practical case worn at the obi with the poetry of ornament.

The Piece

This inro is a refined example of Japanese lacquer artistry, decorated with an abundant chrysanthemum (kiku) motif executed in rich gold maki-e against a deep black ground. The chrysanthemum, emblem of longevity, renewal and imperial refinement, appears as a rhythmic field of blossoms, rendered with the controlled asymmetry characteristic of late Edo aesthetic sensibility.

Originally suspended from the obi by a silk cord and secured with a netsuke, the inro served both as a functional medicine container and as a signifier of taste. The layered construction shows precise joinery, and the lacquer surface reveals the careful polishing and layered application typical of workshop-trained artisans.

The technique suggests hira-maki-e with subtle raised elements, built up through repeated sprinkling of gold powder and sealing layers of urushi lacquer. The wear patterns visible today are consistent with historical handling and indicate genuine use rather than decorative revival manufacture. The piece stands at the meeting point of daily life and symbolic ornament, reflecting Edo Japan's synthesis of utility, status and poetic design, and the chrysanthemum links it to broader symbolic systems of authority and refinement.

Details

• Era: Edo period (late Edo aesthetic)
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Lacquered wood core; natural urushi lacquer; gold maki-e decoration
• Technique: Hira-maki-e with subtle raised elements (as suggested by the surface)
• Motif: Chrysanthemum (kiku) on a deep black ground
• Measurements: Height approx. 8.5 cm · Width approx. 5.5 cm · Depth approx. 2.5 cm

Condition

• Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear.
• Minor surface scratches and lacquer thinning at the edges.

Sagemono Glossary

• Inro: a small tiered container worn suspended from the sash, historically used for seals, medicines or personal items, and collected today as miniature portable art.
• Maki-e: a lacquer technique in which metal powders, often gold, are placed into wet lacquer to form images, then protected and polished to create depth and luminosity.
• Ojime: a sliding bead that tightens the cord and helps keep the inro closed; both functional and decorative.
• Netsuke: a toggle that anchors the cord at the sash, widely collected in its own right; paired with an inro it forms a complete wearable ensemble.

Authenticity & Care

Edo-period attribution rests on construction, layered urushi and maki-e technique, and wear patterns consistent with historical handling rather than revival manufacture. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

Collectors also search: edo period inro · chrysanthemum maki-e inro · antique japanese inro gold lacquer · kiku lacquer inro · japanese sagemono inro · urushi maki-e medicine case · antique inro for sale