SHUNSHO KAGEMASA: A FINE FOUR-CASE LACQUER INRO WITH DANCING COURTESANS After Shunsho Kagemasa (1641-1707), signed Shunsho 春正 with seal Kagemasa 景正 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art (2002), Netsuke and Inro from European Collections, p. 72, no. 74. The oval four-case inro bearing an appealingly lustrous chestnut-red ground and lacquered on both sides in superb gold, silver, and slight-colored togidashi-e with two dancing courtesans, one holding a fan and the other a kozutsumi drum. Their robes are beautifully embellished with karakusa and arabesque designs, as well as the character 壽 Kotobuki (Ju), which means felicity and long-life. Signed in gold lacquer on the underside SHUNSHO with red square seal KAGEMASA. The interior compartments of nashiji with gold fundame edges. HEIGHT 7.1 cm Condition: Good condition with light surface scratches, traces of use, a hairline to the two lowest cases, and some crackling to the edge of the bottom case. Provenance: European collection. The Shunsho line of lacquerers was renowned for their fine togidashi work. As E. A. Wrangham notes in the Index of Inro Artists on page 264, it is probable that Shiomi Masanari was one of the pupils of the founder of this school (Shunsho I). Wrangham also notes that the name of Kagemasa (Shunsho II) is often seen on inro of later date. This was probably done as a homage to this artist. Auction comparison: A related inro by Yamamoto Shunsho, was sold at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2020, London, lot 289 (sold for 15,600 GBP).