JAPAN, EDO PERIOD (1603–1868) Inrō with a design taken from *The Tale of Genji* A four-compartment inrō in black roiro lacquer, decorated in hiramaki-e and takamaki-e in gold and silver, enhanced with red lacquer and kirikane, depicting on one side a running cat, held on a long red lead, and on the other, a bamboo screen (sudare) raised beneath a cherry tree in bloom. The decoration evokes the episode from the ‘Wakana’ chapter of the *Genji Monogatari*, in which the Third Princess’s cat, by pulling on its lead, lifts the screen and reveals the princess to Kashiwagi. Interior in gold lacquer. Black silk cord adorned with a spherical ojime, presumed to be made of coral. H. 5.7 cm.