A Samurai's Personal Supply Pouch: Inro, Netsuke, and Ojime, by Spencer Mauch

What has he got in his "not-a-pocket"? The three pieces of the seal container (Inro), toggle (Netsuke) & bead (Ojime) are bound by a silk rope and come together to form a wearable accessory that was popular amongst Samurai of the Early Modern Period of Japan between 1603-1868. This collection of objects was typically attached to a samurai’s waist by winding the silk rope with the Ojime (tightener) and Netsuke around the samurai’s sash, or obi. Each of the three objects serve a specific function which allow the collective object to serve its purpose. The Inro (vessel to hold seals or literally, seal case) is the largest part of the object. It is comprised of five tiers that can be pulled apart to reveal a stack of four containers which can be opened and closed in a manner similar to an accordion. While the Inro’s direct translation means seal case, the object was likely used to carry a variety of things as the user desired similar to a modern-day pants pocket. The main design of the Inro depicts what are likely scholars of Buddhism traveling and sharing knowledge as they seek shade in the trees. The front depicts two women communicating while each holding a scroll or parchment. The back of the Inro depicts a man, Chokaro, riding his Magic Mule. Chokaro was said to have been able to spawn his Mule from a gourd and ride it for thousands of miles. The netsuke is the large bead at the end of the string which is used in tandem with the Ojime to tie the Inro to the belt of the Samurai. The Netsuke is made of the same red lacquer (tsuishu ) as the Inro and the Ojime. It displays Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, riding atop a Stork or swan. The religious themes throughout this Inro-Netsuke set display the original owner’s strong philosophical beliefs. He likely wore this set as an outward display of the values which he believed were important to his character.