Tabakoire (tobacco pouch)

This tobacco pouch was probably used by a kabuki (Japanese traditional play) actor, Ichikawa Danjuro VII (1791-1859). It is big and heavy because it was made for use on stage. The bat and three lines on the pouch, peony flower on the ojime (cord fastener) are symbols associated with Danjuro. In addition, his well-known "kama-wa-nu" pattern can be seen on netsuke (miniature carving attached to the end of a cord). The "kama-wa-nu" pattern is expressed by a sickle (kama), circle (wa), and Japanese character (nu), and it means "no problem".