Case (Inrō) with Design of Courtier Cleaning Another's Ear (obverse); Courtier Laughing (reverse)

Two cylindrical objects side by side. The objects are black with gold designs. The object on the left shows a man in a seated position cleaning another man's ear. The man on the right is sitting and appears to be laughing. The man on the left wears a dark blue robe with a gold outline. He sits on the left. The other man sits on the right. He wears a reddish robe with a gold outline. On the right object, the man is sitting on the right. He wears a dark robe with gold outline. He holds up both hands. His eyes are closed, and his mouth is open in laughter. The background of both objects is black. Horizontal lines are visible across both objects. A rope or cord is visible at the top and bottom of both objects.

Artwork Details

Date: 18th–19th century
Medium: Lacquer, roiro, gold, brown and red togidashi, nashiji; Netsuke: fukurokuju Interior: nashiji and fundame
Culture: Japan
Dimensions: 599 × 321 px
Public Domain: Yes
Museum Record: View original

Palette