Inro
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An inro is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects, suspended from the obi worn around the waist when wearing a kimono. They are often highly decorated with various materials such as lac
Inro with the characters for longevity and good fortune and the "Seven Lucky Treasures" on checkerboard ground, Edo period, 18th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Inro components
An inro suspended by a netsuke and held together with an ojime
Inro cabinet with a waterfall design in maki-e lacquer, Edo or Meiji period, 19th century
Ojime
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An ojime is a bead used in Japanese inrō. It is typically under an inch in length. Each is carved into a particular shape and image, similar to the netsuke, though smaller. It is used to fasten the co
Inro
…are secured to a netsuke, a kind of toggle that is passed between the sash and pants and then hooked over the top of the sash to suspend the inro. An ojime bead is provided on the cords between the inro and netsuke to hold the boxes together. This bead is slid down the two suspension cords to the top of…
Inro, ojime and netsuke. Lacquer inro, stained ivory ojime and wooden netsuke; inro features a reclining figure in a boat; netsuke is in the form of a mask, by Ikkan (ca. 1750-1850)
A Meiji gilt bronze pearl-inlaid ojime