Antique Japanese Lacquer Inro 5-Case - Gold Maki-e Crane and Rooster - with Fukuwarai/Oni Mask Netsuke Description: This unusually tall five-case inro is decorated in gold hira-maki-e linework, with a crane in flight on the upper section and a rooster among grasses and small blossoms across the lower-middle cases. Five cases is a rarer construction than the more common three- or four-case form. It is suspended from its original silk cord with an agate bead (ojime) and a striking carved mask netsuke: two faces bound back to back, one a round smiling face in the tradition of the New Year's "fukuwarai" guessing game, the other a snarling oni (demon) mask, a playful contrast between comedy and fright that is a favorite subject in Edo-period netsuke carving. No signature or seal observed on the lacquer surface. Item Specifics: Type: Inro (5-case) with Netsuke and Ojime Construction: Gold hira-maki-e linework Material: Lacquer, Carved Wood/Horn (netsuke), Agate (ojime) Motif: Crane and rooster (inro); paired fukuwarai and oni mask (netsuke) Country of Origin: Japan Period: Edo to Meiji period, 19th century (estimate) Condition: Antique condition with notable lacquer loss and chipping at several case seams, exposing the substrate in places, plus fine age cracking throughout. Cord, bead, and netsuke intact; cases open and close properly. Dimensions: approx. 8.06cm (H) x 5.7cm (W)