Case (Inrō) with a Fox from the Kyōgen Play The Fox Hunter (Tsurigitsune); Hunter behind Haystacks from the Kyōgen Play "Hakuzōsu" (reverse) 19th century

Editor: So, this is a 19th-century mixed-media case (inrō) by Shibata Zeshin, currently held at The Met. One side depicts a fox and the other a hunter. There is an interesting dark color palette with gold elements throughout. The scenes remind me of miniature theater sets! How do you interpret Zeshin’s storytelling in this piece? Curator: Indeed! Zeshin packs a visual punch into this tiny inrō, drawing directly from Kyōgen theater, a kind of comedic interlude in Noh plays. What strikes me is the interplay between reality and illusion. On one side, we have a fox disguised as a priest from the play "The Fox Hunter", and on the reverse, a hunter. Editor: Disguise is such a core element. How does Zeshin capture that duality through the materials and techniques he uses? Curator: That's perceptive! Zeshin was a master of lacquer techniques and skillfully used varied metal and textured grounds, blurring the line between painting and sculpture. Think about it: he’s using mixed media to portray figures engaged in deceptive behavior, enriching the storytelling beyond the depicted scenes! Do you feel the somber tones enhance the dramatic tension? Editor: Absolutely. They give it a kind of haunting quality. Knowing these are scenes from plays also contextualizes the design. It reminds me to always look beyond what is on the surface. Curator: Precisely! And isn't that what all good art—and theater—should inspire? The inrō whispers secrets and invites us to consider hidden motives within narratives, reflecting perhaps also upon human psychology.