The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Inro (Case) with Squirrels in Grapevines

1700–1868

Japan, Edo period

(1615–1868)
Lacquer on wood with sprinkled gold powder design (maki-e)
Overall: 8 x 5.8 cm (3 1/8 x 2 5/16 in.)
Gift of D. Z. Norton 1916.860
Location: Not on view

Description

With multiple small compartments joined with a woven silk cord, inro are small cases that can be worn on one’s obi, the sash fastening a kimono. This one has a metal ojime, or small cinch, with a pierced floral design and a wood netsuke (toggle) carved with an autumnal design of quails in millet. The netsuke can be used both to pull the inro out and to help keep it in the obi. Squirrels in grapevines is a popular autumn motif.
  • ?–1916
    D. Z. Norton [1851–1928], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Animals in Japanese Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 24-December 10, 2023).
    Arts of Japan from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, OH (organizer) (March 25-April 22, 1979).
  • {{cite web|title=Inro (Case) with Squirrels in Grapevines|url=false|author=|year=1700–1868|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.860