Inrō

Description
A traditional Japanese decorative container used for storing and carrying medicines, traditionally hung from an obi, or waist sash. It consists of five interlocking containers or chambers of lacquered wood, with a red coloured cord threaded through both sides to enable opening then re-sealing of the chambers. Both sides of the inrō are decorated with a landscape of mountains and traditional houses and bridges in gold lacquer. Both sides are also inlaid with a piece of mother of pearl. At one end the cord has a jade bead threaded through it.
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Object detail

Medium
wood, lacquer, jade, mother of pearl, cord
Measurements
16.5 x 4.9 x 3.0 cm
Accession Number
MHM2009.50
Credit line
Gift of the Estate of Mr Graham Roseby, 2009
Object Type
pharmacology/medication
containers
Named Collection
Roseby Collection
Medical History Museum Category
Pharmaceutical History
Museum
Medical History Museum

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