A BLACK LACQUER THREE-CASE SAYA INRŌ Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryProperty of various ownersA BLACK LACQUER THREE-CASE SAYA INRŌEdo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryOf ovoid profile, the saya (sheath) with applied cord-runners, the inner cases plain black roiro lacquer, the saya with inlaid shell and gold hirame lacquer powder depicting Hotei with his sack and two Chinese boys, the interiors red lacquer, signed for the design Naonobu hitsu (brushed by Naonobu) 3 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 7/8in (5.1 x 6.2 x 2.9cm)The design is remotely based on a painting of Hotei with Chinese boys by Naonobu (1607-1650) a seventh-generation member of the Kanō painting academy.