Case (Inrō) with Design of Hotei (Putai) Carrying a Small Boy (obverse); Boy Carrying Gourd-Flask (reverse)

The image shows two sides of an inro, a type of Japanese case. The case is brown with a textured surface, resembling leather. It has a rounded rectangular shape with rounded edges and a flat top and bottom. The case is made up of four horizontal panels. A purple cord is threaded through a gold loop at the top of the case. The obverse side depicts Hotei, a Buddhist monk, wearing a dark robe, carrying a large white fan and a cymbal on a red strap around his neck. He has a big smile on his face and his eyes are closed. The reverse side shows a young boy wearing a dark robe and a brown hat, carrying a large gourd-flask on his back. The boy is walking to the left. There are some Japanese characters on the obverse side. The background of the image is brown.

Artwork Details

Date: late 19th century
Medium: Gold lacquer with ivory and wood inlay; Netsuke: ivory and lacquered wood figure, Ojime: gold bead with face of Daikoku, god of good fortune
Culture: Japan
Dimensions: 600 × 445 px
Public Domain: Yes
Museum Record: View original

Palette