A FINE FOUR-CASE LACQUER INRO WITH ARIWARA NO NARIHIRA BY KAJIKAWABy Kajikawa (lacquerwork) and Teisho (inlays), lacquer on wood inro with gold and inlaysJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A richly lacquered four-case inro inlaid with organic material and mother of pearl showing the poet and courtier Ariwara no Narihira, richly dressed in courtly garments and seated in a boat, surrounded by a landscape with mountains, a lake, pine trees and flying birds. The lacquer technique used is takamaki-e with much gold as well as gold kirikane; the moon and its reflection on the water with silver, which has turned black with age. Gold nashiji on the interior of the cases. Signed KAJIKAWA (a large and famous family of inro specialists) in gold on the underside, with the name TEISHO inlaid on mother-of-pearl, who made the inlays for this inro.HEIGHT 8.7 CMCondition: Overall in good condition, with minor expected wear to the lacquer, particularly around the edgesProvenance: German private collection