Japanese sagemono pouch with netsuke
Forani Collection
Cat. No: IN72-559

Powder pouch of red leather, shaped and embossed to suggest a carapace, made to be carried as a sagemono (hanging thing) suspended from a netsuke (waist-band toggle) of bone carved in the form of a turtle's shell. 19th century, Japan. L pouch 14.50 cm. L netsuke 5.50 cm. Acquired: Kyoto, Japan.

Note: The powder in the pouch would be part of the owner's writing materials being intended to dry the wet ink of his seal-imprint or of what he might write.

Photo: John Noone IMG_1414.jpg