netsuke

Carved kimono toggle

A netsuke is a small carved toggle used in traditional Japanese dress to secure items hanging from the sash of a kimono, which has no pockets.

Typically made of ivory, wood, or bone, netsuke are intricately carved into figures—animals, mythological creatures, everyday objects.

They are now prized as collectibles: The museum's collection includes netsuke from the Edo period.

Japanese

Tokugawa

Ruling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s

  • MeijiJapanese modernization era
  • obiJapanese robe sash
  • kimonoWraparound Japanese garment

samurai · ukiyo-e · lacquerware · Kyoto · Osaka · noh · kabuki · shogun · wabi-sabi · Nippon

carving

ivory

Tusk-derived material

walrus · mammoth · chisel · whittling · engraving · intaglio · relief · woodwork · craftsmanship · sculpture

fastener

toggle

Two-position switch

  • cordFlexible twisted strand
  • sashWaist-worn cloth strip
  • pouchSmall flexible bag

seal · purse · clasp · counterweight · suspension · belt · waist · attachment · functional · utilitarian

materials

ivory

Tusk-derived material

  • boneHard skeletal tissue
  • woodTree-derived building material
  • hornPointed animal headgear

porcelain · metal · coral · amber · lacquer · tortoiseshell · narwhal · rhinoceros · CITES · endangered

collecting

antique

Old valued collectible

relic · treasure · vintage · artifact · bibelot · rarities · provenance · auction · Sotheby's · Christie's

motifs

rat

Rodent or informer

  • tigerLarge striped Asian feline
  • dragonLegendary fire-breathing reptile
  • zodiacCelestial belt of signs

oni · kappa · tengu · turtle · octopus · mask · skull · mushroom · gourd · chestnut

Opposites
scale/size in decorative arts

netsukemonumental sculpture

Oversized three-dimensional public art

public monument · colossal statue · garden sculpture

function in japanese dress

netsuketonkotsu

Pork bone broth

body adornment type

netsukenecklace

Neck-worn ornament

pendant · choker · locket · torque · collar necklace

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G