An okimono may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than netsuke. Unlike netsuke, which have a specific purpose, okimono are purely decorative and are displayed in the tokonoma. An okimono can be made out of wood, ivory, ceramic or metal.
Contemporary netsuke, miniature sculptures from craftsman who produce extraordinary detail with exemplary skill. A continuation of the 17th century Japanese tradition of imbuing a functional pouch toggle with artistic expression to create a collectible item.
An ojime, "cord fastener" is a bead used in Japanese inrō (carrying cases). It is typically under an inch in length. Each is carved into a particular shape and image, similar to the netsuke, though smaller. It is used to fasten the cord of the inrō so that it does not unstack while carried.
An "Inro" is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects, suspended from the obi (sash) worn around the waist when wearing a kimono. They are often highly decorated with various materials such as lacquer and various techniques such as maki-e, and are more decorative than other Japanese lacquerware.
Client meets
We know there is no substitute for actually handling netsuke so please remember we use Denbies wine estate and RHS Wisley for meeting clients having a coffee and handling stock. Just get in touch if you’re in the area to set up a meeting.