inro

An inrō, or inrō, is a traditional Japanese wearable container consisting of hollowed lacquered compartments that are suspended from the obi, the kimono sash. They were used to carry small personal items such as medicines, seals, or other valuables, making them a practical as well as decorative accessory in the Edo period.

Construction typically involves two or more nested cases tied together by a cord. Each segment has a lid, and the entire stack is worn beneath the robe while the cord runs through the obi. A small bead called an ojime tightens the cord at the upper side to secure the contents, and a netsuke—a carved toggle at the opposite end—acts as a counterweight and decorative fastener that anchors the cord to the obi.

Materials and decoration are a hallmark of inrō. The primary material is lacquered wood or paper-mâché, finished with lacquer techniques such as maki-e (gold powder sprinkled onto the surface) and its variations like takamaki-e. Inrō are often embellished with precious inlays, metal fittings, and motifs drawn from nature, folklore, and landscapes. The artistry was highly valued, and some inrō are regarded as examples of traditional lacquer craftsmanship.

Historically, inrō emerged in the late Muromachi period and reached their peak in the Edo era, when they were worn by samurai, officials, and merchants. As fashion and social customs changed in the late 19th century, their everyday use declined, but inrō continued to be produced as art objects. Today they are collected worldwide and preserved in major museums for their technical mastery and aesthetic richness.