Project Description
Large Four-case Gold Lacquer Inro with a Shunga Theme, by Shōjōsai Rōshō (1893-1978)
Decorated on one side with a lunette within which a geisha and her client are presumably making love, though they are both clothed, while on the other two women make use of a telescope on a waterside engawa to spy on what is going on. The couple is depicted in sophisticated togidashi, while the other side is executed no less adroitly in different tones of takamakie
Signed: shōjōsai rōshō saku with kaō
11.7 cm
Given the quality of the lacquering, I think this must have been executed during the first half of the long career of the lacquerer, who is sometimes referred to as Yamaguchi Shōjōsai. He survived polio as a child which left him partially disabled. A slightly smaller inro by him, again with erotic subject, was in the 1st Wrangham sale at Bonhams London, 9th November 2010, lot 321 (sold for £8,610)
Provenance:
Private collection, Germany
MR4833
