A RARE METAL-INLAID GOLD-LACQUER FOUR CASE SAYA (SHEATH) INRO DEPICTING SUMO WRESTLERSUnsigned Japan, 19th centuryThe saya bearing a kinji ground, finely decorated in gold and colored takamaki-e with kirikane, nashiji, and iro-e takazogan to depict a pair of sumo wrestlers facing off in the center of the dohyo (ring), both standing in dynamic poses with the arms extended and legs spread, their feet planted firmly on the floor. The circumference of the dohyo is outlined with bailed straw in gold lacquer with each twist delicately rendered. To the verso, a banner decorated in fretwork bears two mon, one a pair of circling ho-ho birds and the other the Katabami mon. The removable internal compartments are decorated with an all over design of the Katabami mon in gold hiramaki-e, the interiors of rich nashiji with gold fundame edges.HEIGHT 7.7 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor typical wear and traces of use.