Inro Box

An inro is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects. Because traditional Japanese garb (Kimono) lacked pockets, objects were often carried by hanging them from the obi, or sash. Most types of these sagemono were created for specialized contents, such as tobacco, pipes, writing brush and ink, but inro were suited for carrying anything small. Consisting of a stack of tiny, nested boxes, inro were most commonly used to carry identity seals and medicines. This is sort of a reproduction of an Inro I spotted in V&A while exploring the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition.