| Antique lacquer was always highly valued for its lasting | | | | The best and correct way to pick up an inro, is to |
| qualities and strength. A very high gloss could be | | | | firstly pick up the netsuke, or manju, then to hold and |
| achieved, proving impervious to alcohol, acids and hot | | | | use the silk cord to turn the inro around to look at the |
| liquids. It would also have appealed to the Zen | | | | other side when inspecting Inro, rather than to finger |
| Buddhism ideals of ‘Yin and Yang’, as lacquer | | | | the lacquer, as there is something in our perspiration |
| appears to be so delicately beautiful and light in weight. | | | | that dulls the shine in time. As an alternative some |
| Yet, it is hard, impermeable and enduring. | | | | people only handle lacquer whilst wearing very soft |
| However great care still needs to be taken when | | | | gloves. |
| handling antique Japanese lacquer inro (especially | | | | All lacquer is best kept in a reasonably humid |
| when complete with ojime and a netsuke, or manju) as | | | | atmosphere, avoiding any sudden changes of |
| the inro can so easily be damaged by knocks. The | | | | temperature. In some climates this is difficult to arrange, |
| most common cause of damage occurs when an inro | | | | without having good airconditioning. It is also a good |
| is first picked up. If the netsuke, or manju, is allowed to | | | | idea to keep a bowl, or two, of water where ever the |
| swing and bump into the inro, the lacquer will certainly | | | | inro are stored, but even more important to avoid the |
| dent and worse still might chip. | | | | use of any hot spot lights within the same cabinet. |