Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A small, usually ornamented box that is hung from the waist sash of a Japanese kimono and has compartments for holding small objects such as cosmetics, perfumes, or medicines.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A small ornamental nest of boxes of lacquer-ware, ivory, etc., carried by Japanese at the girdle, and used to hold the seal (hence the name), medicines, perfumes, or the like.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A small closed receptacle or set of receptacles of hard material, as lacquered wood, iron, bronze, or ivory, used by the Japanese to hold medicines, perfumes, and the like, and carried in the girdle. It is usually secured by a silk cord by which the wearer may grasp it, which cord passes through an ornamental button or knob called a netsuke.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a small decorative box, hung from the sash of a kimono, for holding small objects

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Japanese inrō : in, stamp, seal (from Middle Chinese ˀjin`; also the source of Mandarin, yìn) + , bamboo box, envelop (from Middle Chinese ləwŋ´; also the source of Mandarin, lǒng).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Japanese 印籠 (inrō).

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word inro.

Examples

  • The inro is a sealed case comprising small, nested boxes for storing personal belongings; the netsuke, a small carving of animals or people, kept the inro securely closed.

    Asian Art Soars in London Margaret Studer 2010

  • An "inro" is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects especially medicines.

    Japundit - Published news 2010

  • Starting at the age of eight until his death in 2009, Mr. Wrangham assembled notable examples of Japanese inro (little boxes in which Japanese gentlemen secreted valuables on their person), netsuke (miniature figures) and sword fittings.

    The Allure of Asian Art Margaret Studer 2011

  • Christie's sale of Japanese art and design Wednesday will include more than 390 lots from the 16th to the 20th century of inro, netsuke, prints, ceramics, sword fittings and lacquer.

    The Allure of Asian Art Margaret Studer 2011

  • A charming lacquer, three-case, 18th-century inro decorated with an owl wearing a hat is estimated at £3,000-£3,500.

    The Allure of Asian Art Margaret Studer 2011

  • At both houses, inro and netsuke will feature prominently.

    Asian Art Soars in London Margaret Studer 2010

  • In hopes the United States can learn and develop rather than continue its downward spiral inro hate nad conflict.

    LIVE Blog: Landmark health care bill heads to Obama's desk 2010

  • I loved my class from Jana…it was the “secret shape” inro.

    Polka Dot Cottage: Giddy anticipation 2009

  • On January 18, we moved out of our home for the last eight years and inro Blair House.

    Barbara Bush Barbara Bush 2005

  • On January 18, we moved out of our home for the last eight years and inro Blair House.

    Barbara Bush Barbara Bush 2005

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.