A fine embossed and polychrome leather tobacco pouch ("tobacco-ire") with large silver clasp ("kanemono") depicting a coiled Dragon in relief. This piece dates from 1868-1912. The 10-strand silvered chain, held together by a ojime-type fitting with relief work dragon, is fitted to a large kagamibuta netsuke with a gilded silver top, also worked with a dragon in low relief, within an ivory manju. The front of the embossed leather pouch is decorated with a writhing dragon with a flaming pearl in his grasp. The interior is covered with embossed suede decorated with flowers and vines. The pouch has two pockets: one large one and a smaller hidden one secured by a silver clip. This beautifully crafted and nicely aged pouch is a wonderful example of a sagemono or hanging object. Sagemono were an essential Fashion and skilled craftsmen collaborated to produce costly tobacco pouches with clasps made by the best metal artists. This pouch is in excellent condition considering the age. Measurers approximately 5 ½" wide by 3 ¾" high, chain is 4 ½" long, the netsuke is 2" in diameter.