Techniques of inlay using minute pieces of very fine mother-of-pearl, frequently seen in the Ryûkyû islands, were also adopted by the Somada 杣田 family, in Toyama 富山, on the north coast of Honshû. In this type of decoration, the design is built up in a mosaic-like manner, creating a contrast between the shiny, jet-black ground, and the coloured reflections of the shell and gold leaf.
Inrô with ojime, Somada style 杣田風印籠と織締
Mother-of-pearl inlay and gold leaf 金箔絵螺鈿
Daikoku, God of Luck, taking a jewel from his pack 門松宝珠大黒図
Unsigned 無銘
19th century 江戸末期~明治初期
CB-LJ-1964-60Incense box (kôgô) 香合
Mother-of-pearl inlay 蒔絵螺鈿
Floral designs and Heart Sûtra 唐草と般若心経
Unsigned 無銘
19th century 江戸末期~明治初期
CB-LJ-1925-45Inrô, Somada style 杣田風印籠
Mother-of-pearl inlay and gold leaf 金箔絵螺鈿
Geometric brocade patterns 市松図
Unsigned 無銘
19th century 江戸末期~明治初期
CB-LJ-1964-68Pipe case (kiseruzutsu) 煙管筒
Mother-of-pearl inlay 蒔絵螺鈿
Autumn grasses and poem 秋草葦手書図
Unsigned 無銘
Meiji (1868-1912) or Taishô era (1912-1926) 明治~大正時代
CB-LJ-1964-55Inrô with ojime and netsuke 印籠、織締と根付
Shibayama style 芝山風
Hiramaki-e, inlay of various materials 平蒔絵各種象嵌
Hares pounding mochi rice cakes 餅つき兎図
Unsigned 無銘
XIXe siècle 江戸末期~明治初期
CB-LJ-1963-200
Inrô, Shibayama style 芝山風印籠
Togidashi, inlay of various materials 研出蒔絵各種象嵌
Hibiscus and other plants 芙蓉藪柑子桔梗図
Signed « Masanori » 銘 政宜
Second half 19th century 明治初期
CB-LJ-1964-199
Inrô, Shibayama style 芝山風印籠
Hirame, inlay of various materials 平目地各種象嵌
Peony and iris medallions 牡丹燕子花の丸図
Unsigned 無銘
Second half 19th century 明治初期
CB-LJ-1964-191
Inrô, Shibayama style 芝山風印籠
Inlay of various materials on gold ground 金地各種象嵌
Chrysanthemum and wolfberry 菊枸杞鳥図
Signed « Shibayama » 銘 芝山
Second half 19th century 明治初期
CB-LJ-1964-197