A VERY FINE SHIBAYAMA AND LACQUER FOUR-CASE INRO DEPICTING URASHIMA TARO Unsigned Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) A finely inlaid four-case lacquer inro on a gold lacquered ground, with inlays. Urashima Taro, depicted as an old man, is shown kneeling and looking at the opened box from which a turtle emerges. A crane descends above him. The reverse decorated with a leafy blossoming peony branch, one budding flower inlaid in coral, below three flying butterflies. The inside with dense nashiji. HEIGHT 8 cm, WIDTH 6.2 cm Condition: Some surface scratches, miniscule loss to the inlay of the mat underneath the box. Good condition. Provenance: British private collection.