Glossary  

(Extracted from International Netsuke Society)

Inro  -   A sectional case or box (usually lacquered) which is worn suspended from the obi by a cord on which the netsuke serves as a toggle.

Kagamibuta -   A special type of netsuke with a metal lid and a bowl. Its literal meaning is mirror lid.

Manju -  A type of netsuke named after a popular bean paste confection in a round, flat shape.

Netsuke -   A small sculptural object, or toggle, usually worn to suspend objects hung from the sash of the kimono.

Obi - The sash of a kimono.

Ojime -  A moveable bead through which the cord of the netsuke and sagemono passes. 

Sagemono - Literally a hanging object, such as an inro, purse, pouch, pipe case or other object suspended by a netsuke

Background

A netsuke is a form of small sculpture which developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. Netsuke served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses or writing implements, on a silk cord, from their obi (sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached. This toggle is called a netsuke. (The most popular pronunciation is net-ski, while the actual Japanese is closer to netskeh). A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to tighten or loosen the opening of the sagemono. The entire ensemble was then worn, at the waist, and functioned as a sort of removable hip pocket. All three objects, the netsuke, the ojime and the different types of sagemono were often beautifully decorated with elaborate carving, lacquer work, or inlays of rare and exotic materials, including: wood, ivory, precious metals, shell, coral and semi-precious stones. All three items developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms but it is the netsuke that has by far, most captivated the collector.

 In form, there are five main types of netsuke each measuring approximately one inch tall by one inch wide by one inch deep; manju, ryusa, kagamibuta, sashi, and  katabori.  Manju, ryusa, and kagamibuta are flattened sphere shapes.  As you may have guessed, the manju netsuke is named after the Japanese confection that it resembles.  The ryusa netsuke is similar in shape but is hollow inside and the design on either side is carved through to the center.  Kagamibuta is more like a flattened round pumpkin, where the body is made of ivory and the lid is made of metal.  With kagamibuta, the metal lid is usually incised with a design or inlaid with gold or silver to create a design in relief.