Inrō with Scattered Musical Instruments, Theatrical Implements, and Flowers 19th century

This Inrō, a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects, was created by Shibata Zeshin, a 19th-century artist renowned for his mastery of lacquer. Look closely, and you’ll see that the case is adorned with delicate, gold-colored depictions of musical instruments, theatrical implements, and flowers, scattered across the surface. The choice of lacquer is important here, as it is more than just a surface coating. It is derived from the sap of the lacquer tree, and applied in many thin layers. This is not just decoration; it is about the accretion of labor and time. Consider the context. Zeshin was working during a period of rapid modernization in Japan. He deliberately chose to work with a pre-industrial material, insisting on its continued relevance, at a moment when other artists were turning to newly available industrial materials. By emphasizing traditional materials and processes, Zeshin elevated craft to the level of fine art, and suggested its enduring value in a changing world.