Minneapolis Institute of Art

Tobacco Pouch with Nanban Figures

Metal fitting by Hamano Noriyuki

Date

first half 19th century

Medium

Polychrome-lacquered and gilded leather with metal

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Gilt leather was introduced to Japan from Europe in the seventeenth century. Inspired by these imported goods, Japanese artisans experimented and developed new techniques, producing works such as this tobacco pouch that uses gold paint, gold foil, and multicolored lacquer to depict a scene of decidedly non-Japanese figures, fauna, and flora. The metal fitting was created by the prominent machibori (lit. town carver) Hamano Noriyuki, an independent metal worker who was not employed by a lord and is famous for his sword fittings. Asia

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