Case (Inrō) with Design of Seated Monkey Looking at a Wasp (obverse); Crabs with Fan beside Waves (reverse) 19th century

This is a small, late 18th to early 19th century Inrō case created by Mori Sosen. Inrō were traditional Japanese cases, often used by men to carry small items. Looking at the Inrō, we see a seated monkey gazing at a wasp on one side, and crabs beside waves on the other. In Japanese art, monkeys are often depicted with wit and human-like qualities. Sosen, known for his realistic depictions of monkeys, may be inviting us to reflect on human nature through this animal form. The crabs and waves on the reverse evoke a sense of the natural world, while also speaking to themes of resilience and adaptability. Consider what it might have been like to carry this small case, to feel the weight of its stories and artistry. The Inrō becomes a personal, portable theater reflecting both the natural world and the complexities of human existence.