A gold-lacquer small three-case inro

By Minsetsu, Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century

By Minsetsu, Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
The usu-nashiji ground embellished with sparse hirame flakes, lacquered in gold, black, and slightly coloured takamaki-e on one side with a flying sparrow and on the other with a large pair of scissors, the interior of nashiji, signed on the base in gold lacquer Minsetsu with a kao; with a carved walnut ojime. 6.7cm (2 5/8in) high.

Provenance:
Edward Wrangham Collection, no.957.
Purchased in these rooms, 6 November 2013, lot 254.

Published:
E. A. Wrangham, The Index of Inro Artists, Alnwick, Northumberland, Harehope Publications, 1995, p.158, Kyuho, Minsetsu(sai), right.

The subject represents the fleeing sparrow in Shitakiri suzume (The Tongue-Cut Sparrow), a fairy story which has fascinated Japanese children for many generations.