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| Netsuke and Ojime - Art in Miniature Netsuke (nets-kay) and Ojime (oh-gee-may) The netsuke and ojime tradition began in ancient Japan because kimono lacked pockets! Everyday personal items were hung in boxes call inro off the sash or obi on a kimono. A cord, with an ojime bead or button loosened or tightened the segmented inro. The cord was threaded through the two holes or himotoshi in the back of a netsuke or toggle, and was hung from the obi keeping the inro safely attached. The netsuke evolved from utilitarian to high art when the privileged class commissioned fine examples to suggest their status, wealth and power. Today, Chinese artisans have joined Japanese masters in carving some of the finest contemporary netsuke and ojime. We offer examples in boxwood, ironwood and fossilized mammoth ivory, the contemporary carvers replacement for endangered elephant ivory. |
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