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Magnificent Tsuishu Lacquer Five Case Inro browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Netsuke and Related: Pre 1900: item # 76552 Please refer to our stock # 3362 when inquiring.
Ichiban Japanese & Oriental Antiques Post Office Box 395 Marion, CT 06444-0395 203.272.7392 Guest Book $1,595.00 |
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| A spectacular five case inro made in Japanese carved cinnabar lacquer known as Tsuishu. This technique was adapted from the Chinese carved cinnabar style by the Japanese in the late 15th century. To achieve a carvable thickness, from one hundred to three hundred coats of lacquer were applied to the wood and lacquer base. Each layer then had to dry and be lightly polished before the next could be added. Since each layer hardens slowly, only one layer could be added a day. After all the layers were applied, the artist could at last draw his design and begin carving. These difficult techniques became the special preserve of a family whose members each took the name Tsuishu Yosei. Tsuishu literally means "layered red". The family continued for twenty generations. This superb example is deeply carved in relief and has a scene on one side of a priest (with the horsehair flywhisk) and an acolyte - and on the other side two scholars talking while a boy plays in the background. The sides, top and bottom have decoration of a pine tree, flowers and clouds. The inro has a Nashiji (pearskin sprinkled gold) interior in all five cases and the second of the cases has the name of the artist in black lacquer on the inside. There are two minor nicks on two edges - otherwise in near mint condition. The inro measures 4" long x 1 1/8" wide x 1" thick. Dates from the Edo period circa 1800-1860. There is a fine red and black lacquer ojime to hold the cased together. A most rare and important inro ! | |||||||||||||||
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