netsuke (Ornament)

Toggle used to support an inro on a belt. This netsuke is carved in the form of a lotus seed pod, the protruding pieces presenting seeds. This form was a common subject for netsuke carvers. Netsuke were worn by Japanese men from the late 16th to mid-19th centuries; strung on one end of a cord, at the other end of which was attached an inro, smoking accessories, purse or other things. A bead (ojime) was strung on the cord. The cord was put through the wearer's girdle and the netsuke prevented the objects from slipping through.

worn by men

Netsuke carved of medium brown wood, roughly in the form of a cone-shaped seed pod, with 8 rounded cylindrical pieces projecting from holes in the base. Pieces can move freely in holes. Projecting from top of cone is an irregularly cylindrical piece representing a stem, bent down and attached to lower edge. Surface of cone is striated; bottom surface is stippled.