KANSHOSAI TOYO: A FINE FOUR-CASE LACQUER INRO WITH CRANES By Kanshosai Toyo, signed Kanshosai 觀松齋 and kakihan Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The four-case inro bearing a beautiful, dense nashiji ground and lacquered in gold and silver takamaki-e, as well as with aogai (mother-of-pearl) inlay, depicting a total of seven red-crested cranes. The plumage and tail feathers are superbly detailed. The interior of nashiji with fundame on the edges. Signed underneath in gold lacquer KANSHOSAI and kakihan. HEIGHT 8.9 cm Condition: Very good condition with minimal wear to lacquer. Provenance: British private collection. The kakihan used on this inro best compares to the ones shown in the first row 'E' illustrated in Wrangham, (1995) The Index of Inro Artists, p. 312. Auction comparison: A related inro featuring aogai inlay, by Kanshosai Toyo, was sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 302 (sold for 9,600 GBP).