Case (Inrō) with Design of Chinese Sage (obverse); Attendant (Karako) Standing beside Bamboo (reverse) 19th century

This is a case made by Shibata Zeshin, a prominent Japanese artist who lived in the 19th century. The case is made of lacquer, and it depicts a Chinese sage on one side and an attendant standing beside bamboo on the other. Zeshin lived during a time of dramatic social and political change in Japan as the country was opening up to the West after a long period of isolation. Zeshin often drew upon traditional Japanese artistic styles and themes, like we see here, but he was also known for his experimentation with new techniques and materials, blending the old and the new. This case is a personal, intimate object. It provides a glimpse into the artist's world and his relationship to both Japanese and Chinese culture. It's a small but powerful reminder of the ways in which our identities are shaped by the past.