Inro, signed 梶川作（徳）Kajikawa-saku (Toku)
Four-compartment lacquer inrō, with gold makie designs of cranes and clouds.
The Kajikawa were designated makers of inro and other gold lacquer crafts to the Tokugawa beginning from the early 18th century. This inro bears the mark of “Toku”, indicating it was made by Kajikawa Tokusaburō (1827-1865). Tokusaburō was the 11th generation Kajikawa master.
Kajikawa Family, (flourished 19th century), Japanese lacquerware artists whose school in Edo (now Tokyo) flourished for more than 200 years.
Kyūjirō (also called Kijirō) is generally acknowledged as the founder of the family and the inaugurator of its traditions. He excelled in designing particularly delicate lacquer inrō, portable medicine cases composed of a nest of tiny boxes tightly fitted into one another and secured with a silk cord. Because so much artistic skill went into decorating the outside of the inrō, they were worn on the obi (a broad sash) by men of the upper classes and were prized as collector’s items. Kajikawa artists also designed lacquer netsuke—toggles carved in the shapes of animals, human figures, and plants, used to attach medicine boxes and tobacco and money pouches to men’s sashes.
Mei/signature:
梶川作 （徳）
Kajikawa-saku (Toku)
Kajikawa Tokusaburō
School/province:
Kajikawa school
Period/age:
Edo 1828-1866
Measures:
10.20 cm x 5.00 cm x 3.10 cm
Certificate:
No
Included:
NO kiri box included
