Inrō, signed 江上 叟山作 (Egami Sōzan-saku)
Netsuke, signed 正直 (Masanao)

Four-compartment inrō in black lacquer depicting waves, with gold makie lacquer depicting pine trees and clouds. 19th century.

Sōzan was an inro artisan of the Koma school, who were traditional suppliers of gold lacquer crafts to the Tokugawa shoguns.

Netsuke of adult and young frog.

Dramatic contrast of black lacquer with gold makie.

Excellent condition.

Notes:
Sōzan is Koma Sōzan, from the Koma school, which is a line of gold lacquer artisans appointed to serve the Tokugawa shoguns. From this school there came some netsuke specialists. The name on the netsuke, Masanao, is a known name.

Mei/signature on Inro:
江上 叟山作
Egami Sōzan-saku

Mei/signature on Netsuke:
正直
Masanao

School/province:
Koma school

Period/age:
Edo (mid-1800s)

Measures:
8.40 cm x 5.20 cm x 2.20 cm

Certificate:
No

Included:
NO kiri box included

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