Inro and netsuke are men's accessories which date from the Edo period of Japan (1603-1867). An inro was a portable case used to carry writing materials or traditional medicines such as ginseng and ...

The inro was attached to the waist via a cord. On this cord was a bead (an ojime) and a carved figure (a netsuke) that were used as fasteners. This box is decorated with a lobster design.