inro
1
9.9
A small decorated Japanese case for holding small things on a sash
- noun
- /ˈɪnroʊ/
- Specialized
:
inro
- The artist crafted an exquisite inro adorned with intricate designs to carry her personal belongings.
Examples
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I bought two inros at the antique shop.
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Traditional Japanese clothing includes a sash where one can attach an inro for carrying small items.
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The collector proudly displayed a rare inro with intricate gold designs.
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During the Edo period, samurai often carried an inro attached to their sash.
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She admired the lacquered inro in the museum's Japanese art section.
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The artist created a beautiful inro for the exhibition.
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Collectors often seek rare inro to display alongside their vintage Japanese art pieces.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Inro comes from the Japanese word inrō, written with characters that mean 'seal' and 'basket'. It was originally a tiny box for carrying seals or medicine, so today an inro is a small decorative case often worn on a sash.