As the kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets, the Japanese men suspended small items they needed to take with them, such as tobacco pouches, purses, pipes and writing implements on a silk cord from their sash, and stop the cord slipping, it was fed through a toggle - a netsuke.

Originally the toggle was made from found objects such as roots or shells, which were selected for their aesthetic appeal, but over time the toggle itself developed as an art form. Many fine carvers devoted themselves to netsuke, but the demand was so great, that their manufacture was taken up by other craft persons such as lacquerers, metal artists and potters.

While ivory is the most commonly used material, netsuke were also made from wood, bone, lacquer, metal and other materials.

The custom of wearing netsuke flourished in Japan for more than three centuries - from around 1600 more...

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Vintage lacquered netsuke of a dancing man, with coloured…

Dancing Man Netsuke with Crane and Pointed Hat

Vintage lacquered netsuke of a dancing man, with coloured highlights, wearing a pointed hat and with a sacred crane on his back. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

Japanese Meiji period bone netsuke. An old man grasping his…

Meiji Period Bone Netsuke: Old Man with Beard and Staff

Japanese Meiji period bone netsuke. An old man grasping his long beard and a walking staff, height 5 cm

Ironwood netsuke, carved, signed of 2 mice on and within a…

Two Mice in Fruit Ironwood Netsuke

Ironwood netsuke, carved, signed of 2 mice on and within a piece of fruit

Mammoth tooth duck netsuke, tiny carved model duck

Mammoth Tooth Duck Netsuke: Miniature Carved Model of Waterfowl

Mammoth tooth duck netsuke, tiny carved model duck

Antique Japanese carved mammoth tusk netsuke, beautifully…

Japanese Carved Mammoth Tusk Netsuke: Fisherman, Koi Carp, Turtles

Antique Japanese carved mammoth tusk netsuke, beautifully carved group figure of fisherman and koi carp and turtles, signed to base, height 4 cm

Japanese netsuke, carved ironwood depicting a rat, signed to…

Ironwood Japanese Netsuke: Carved Rat, Signed Base, Intricate Detail

Japanese netsuke, carved ironwood depicting a rat, signed to base

Japanese netsuke, carved mammoth tooth depicting a seated man…

Japanese Netsuke: Carved Mammoth Tooth Seated Man, Signed Base

Japanese netsuke, carved mammoth tooth depicting a seated man with fine engraved details, signed to base

Edo/Meiji period Japanese netsuke, carved antler netsuke…

Edo/Meiji period Japanese netsuke, carved antler netsuke depicting monkey with offspring, height 3.5 cm

Mammoth tooth netsuke, finely detailed and signed

Mammoth tooth netsuke, finely detailed and signed

A Japanese netsuke of a frog & snail on a mushroom, Meiji…

A Japanese netsuke of a frog & snail on a mushroom, Meiji period, signature to stem, length 5.5 cm

Antique Japanese carved bone netsuke, depicting mouse on top of…

Japanese Carved Bone Netsuke: Mouse atop Nut (Signed)

Antique Japanese carved bone netsuke, depicting mouse on top of a nut, signed to base

Japanese hardwood netsuke of a monkey, kneeling holding 2 nuts

Kneeling Monkey Netsuke with Nut Pair

Japanese hardwood netsuke of a monkey, kneeling holding 2 nuts

Carved mammoth tooth netsuke, depicting two squirrels, signed…

Mammoth Tooth Squirrel Netsuke

Carved mammoth tooth netsuke, depicting two squirrels, signed with two red character marks

Japanese carved tortoise netsuke carved group of 5 tortoises,…

Signed Japanese Tortoise Netsuke Group

Japanese carved tortoise netsuke carved group of 5 tortoises, signed to base, width 4.5 cm.

Carved, signed mammoth tooth netsuke, three frogs in a basket

Frog Trio Mammoth Tooth Netsuke

Carved, signed mammoth tooth netsuke, three frogs in a basket

Mammoth tooth netsuke, detailed carved, signed, rats on woven…

Carved Mammoth Tooth Netsuke with Rats and Mat

Mammoth tooth netsuke, detailed carved, signed, rats on woven mat

Mammoth tooth man netsuke, holding a gourd with boy, hand…

Mammoth Tooth Netsuke with Gourd and Boy

Mammoth tooth man netsuke, holding a gourd with boy, hand carved, signed

Ironwood netsuke, hand carved in the form of three rats in…

Rat Trio Ironwood Netsuke with Glass Eyes

Ironwood netsuke, hand carved in the form of three rats in group with tails upon backs and to underside glass eyed and makers signature to base

Three monkey netsuke, Hear, see and speak no evil monkey group…

Three Wise Monkeys Netsuke

Three monkey netsuke, Hear, see and speak no evil monkey group with black glass eyes

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Japanese Koi Netsuke Carving

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Japanese Koi Netsuke Carving

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Japanese Koi Carved Netsuke

Japanese carved koi netsuke marked to base, width 5.5 cm

Twin frog netsuke, hand carved in the form of two frogs upon…

Double Frog Netsuke on Leaf - Signed

Twin frog netsuke, hand carved in the form of two frogs upon leaf, signed to base

Rat and pumpkin netsuke, hand carved as a pumpkin with leaves…

Articulated Rat and Pumpkin Netsuke

Rat and pumpkin netsuke, hand carved as a pumpkin with leaves and rats feeding, one articulated, signed to rear

Reclining rat netsuke, modelled of recumbent rat resting on…

Relaxed Rat on Rocking Chair Netsuke

Reclining rat netsuke, modelled of recumbent rat resting on rocking chair, signed to base

Chinese netsuke, modelled as a hand holding monkey with glass…

Monkey Hand Netsuke with Glass Eyes - Signed

Chinese netsuke, modelled as a hand holding monkey with glass eyes, signed to base

Antique Japanese young man resting netsuke circa 1920, width 5…

1920 Japanese Resting Netsuke

Antique Japanese young man resting netsuke circa 1920, width 5 cm

An early netsuke depicting goat and kid, length 4 cm

Goat and Kid Netsuke

An early netsuke depicting goat and kid, length 4 cm

19th.C netsuke Japanese monkey, carved bone in the form of a…

Japanese Carved Bone Monkey Netsuke

19th.C netsuke Japanese monkey, carved bone in the form of a monkey

A Vinatge Japanese carved stag antler netsuke; featuring…

Japanese Stag Antler Netsuke with Crouched Figure and Flowers

A Vinatge Japanese carved stag antler netsuke; featuring crouched figure with flowers, size 29 x 36 x 22 mm.

A vintage Japanese carved bone netsuke; featuring God of wealth,…

Japanese God of Wealth Carved Bone Netsuke

A vintage Japanese carved bone netsuke; featuring God of wealth, size 29 x 26 mm, sign at back Tamami.

A Japanese amber netsuke of a frog, 20th century the seated…

Amber Frog Netsuke with Insect Encasement

A Japanese amber netsuke of a frog, 20th century the seated frog, finely carved from amber with an encased insect, with a polished finish. Length 4.5 cm

A Japanese carved amber netsuke in the form of a sitting dog,…

Meiji Period Amber Netsuke: Sitting Dog

A Japanese carved amber netsuke in the form of a sitting dog, Meiji period, 19th/20th century, 4 cm high, 5 cm long

20th century Japanese Itobori mask netsuke 'Hannya' Saishiki…

Japanese Itobori Mask Netsuke and Celluloid Miniatures

20th century Japanese Itobori mask netsuke 'Hannya' Saishiki style height 6 cm, together with a pair of miniature celluloid masks. (A/F)

19th century Japanese whalebone netsuke, Humorously carved as a…

Struggling Man Netsuke

19th century Japanese whalebone netsuke, Humorously carved as a man struggling to lift a bulging sack, height 2.5 cm

Japanese carved acrobat form netsuke, height 3.5 cm

Japanese Netsuke Acrobat Carving

Japanese carved acrobat form netsuke, height 3.5 cm

Antique Japanese carved standing man netsuke, probably carved…

Japanese Carved Netsuke of Standing Man

Antique Japanese carved standing man netsuke, probably carved antler, height 4 cm, small chips to the back of his hat Nb. This item May not be exported.

Antique Japanese seated Buddha netsuke looks like carved antler,…

Antique Japanese Buddha Netsuke on Antler, 4cm Height

Antique Japanese seated Buddha netsuke looks like carved antler, height 4 cm.

Japanese carved horn Quails netsuke carved figure of 2 quails,…

Japanese Horn Quails Netsuke Carving, Signed, 3.5cm

Japanese carved horn Quails netsuke carved figure of 2 quails, signed, height 3.5 cm.

Japanese carved spherical hardwood netsuke formed as lions

Lion Netsuke Carvings

Japanese carved spherical hardwood netsuke formed as lions

Signed carved netsuke of standing Demon with dragon on his back

Standing Demon with Dragon Netsuke

Signed carved netsuke of standing Demon with dragon on his back

Japanese netsuke, Negoro lacquer hatching Tengu mythical sword…

Negoro Lacquer Tengu Netsuke Sword Master

Japanese netsuke, Negoro lacquer hatching Tengu mythical sword master

Japanese carved netsuke figure, height 5 cm.

Japanese Netsuke Carving: 5cm Figurine

Japanese carved netsuke figure, height 5 cm.

Carved netsuke depicting three turtles, signed to base

Three Turtle Netsuke by Signed Artist

Carved netsuke depicting three turtles, signed to base

Two vintage figural Netsukes, a netsuke of a crouching man…

Vintage Figural Netsukes: Crouching Man and Elder Figure

Two vintage figural Netsukes, a netsuke of a crouching man holding a melon fruit, and an elder figure with a small child attendant standing upon a rock, signed to the latter underside, height 4.5 cm

An old Japanese stag antler netsuke, of Gama Sennin, standing…

Japanese Stag Antler Netsuke of Gama Sennin with Frog

An old Japanese stag antler netsuke, of Gama Sennin, standing with a large frog perched to his shoulder. Small himotoshi to his back. Height 5.6 cm.

A well carved Japanese stag antler netsuke of a rat, perched on…

Japanese Stag Antler Netsuke of Rat on Abalone Shell

A well carved Japanese stag antler netsuke of a rat, perched on an abalone shell, with inlaid eyes. Large himotoshi underneath. Length 4.5 cm.

Japanese netsuke, depicting a cat curled up in a shell, signed,…

Japanese Netsuke: Sleeping Cat in Shell

Japanese netsuke, depicting a cat curled up in a shell, signed, length 5 cm. Provenance: Mr Arthur Dolby Pedley (1856-1935), then by descent.

Japanese Meiji period carved netsuke, depicting Buddha's hand…

Meiji Buddha's Hand Citron Netsuke

Japanese Meiji period carved netsuke, depicting Buddha's hand citron, incised signature, height 3.5 cm. Provenance: Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

Quantity Sotheby's London Japanese Art catalogues, dated…

Sotheby's London Japanese Art Catalogues (1968-78)

Quantity Sotheby's London Japanese Art catalogues, dated 1968-78, new Bond Street, including the Henri Vever collection of fine Japanese works of Art, an important collection of netsuke and Japanese works of Art (quantity)

Good Japanese Meiji period carved netsuke, in the form of a…

Meiji Carved Snail Netsuke

Good Japanese Meiji period carved netsuke, in the form of a snail, with shell to the base, incised signature to base, length 3.5 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

A Japanese carved bone netsuke of an old woman, in traditional…

Traditional Japanese Woman Netsuke

A Japanese carved bone netsuke of an old woman, in traditional dress with pipe and broom.

An antique signed netsuke of a pair of faces, Meiji period,…

Meiji Period Signed Netsuke: Young to Old Transformation

An antique signed netsuke of a pair of faces, Meiji period, 1868-1912, a double-sided portrait of a young person transformed into an elderly person, to the reverse, himatoshi to the head, characters underside, height 3 cm

A Japanese leather tobacco pouch with an amber coloured Ojime…

Edo Period Tobacco Pouch with Amber Ojime and Bone Netsuke

A Japanese leather tobacco pouch with an amber coloured Ojime and bone netsuke, Edo period, 19th century, length 11 cm

A Japanese carved bone netsuke, a hare before a mound of fungi.

Hare and fungi netsuke

A Japanese carved bone netsuke, a hare before a mound of fungi.

A Japanese Hirado netsuke of a monkey as a Sambaso dancer, Edo…

Hirado Monkey Sambaso Netsuke

A Japanese Hirado netsuke of a monkey as a Sambaso dancer, Edo period (1603-1868), late 18th/Early 19th century, the fine porcelain netsuke with an unglazed moveable head, a tongue that is able to retract, the body decorated in underglaze blue, depicting…

Two Japanese netsuke, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century,…

Edo Period Japanese Netsuke Pair

Two Japanese netsuke, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century, comprising a rotund woman with gourd and vegetables, the second a woman huddled inside a cave, signed Gyokuzan, 6 cm high &, 4.5 cm high. Provenance: Jan Bayer collection, Melbourne. Purchased…

A Japanese netsuke, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century,…

Edo Period Japanese Netsuke: Taiko Drum Players

A Japanese netsuke, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century, Intricately carved as two figures playing a Taiko drum, signed Minkoku, 4 cm high. Provenance: Jan Bayer collection, Melbourne. Purchased from Jan Bayer, January 1978.

Book, 'Masterpieces of Netsuke Art,' pub. 1975, Weatherhill…

Netsuke Masterpieces (9 words)

Book, 'Masterpieces of Netsuke Art,' pub. 1975, Weatherhill press, Ny. with slipcase.

Japanese carved netsuke, seated man on a wall, signed to base,…

Japanese Netsuke: Seated Man on Wall

Japanese carved netsuke, seated man on a wall, signed to base, length 4 cm

Good antique Japanese carved antler netsuke in the form of a…

Japanese Buffalo Netsuke

Good antique Japanese carved antler netsuke in the form of a lying buffalo. 7 cm wide

A Japanese netsuke of two Sumo Wrestlers in an erotic Embrace,…

Sumo Wrestlers Embracing Netsuke

A Japanese netsuke of two Sumo Wrestlers in an erotic Embrace, painted, moulded composition. Length 4.5 cm

A Meiji period Hornbill netsuke, featuring an okimono, signed…

Meiji Hornbill Netsuke with Okimono, Ushitora Signature

A Meiji period Hornbill netsuke, featuring an okimono, signed Ushitora, length 46 mm

A Japanese carved netsuke of a Shishi, Meji period, signed…

Meiji Netsuke: Carved Shishi by Tamayuki

A Japanese carved netsuke of a Shishi, Meji period, signed Tamayuki, length 52 mm.

A blackwood netsuke of an aubergine, carved signature Tanaka…

Edo Era Aubergine Netsuke by Tanaka Minko

A blackwood netsuke of an aubergine, carved signature Tanaka Minko [1775-1825], Edo period, Japan, condition: missing the worm, length 4.3 cm, height 5 cm

Japanese netsuke. Depicting a seated monkey, horn inlaid eyes.…

Seated Monkey Netsuke with Horn Inlaid Eyes

Japanese netsuke. Depicting a seated monkey, horn inlaid eyes. Signed in an oval reserve

Four Japanese netsuke, 19th century the largest 5 cm

19th Century Japanese Netsuke Collection

Four Japanese netsuke, 19th century the largest 5 cm

Four Japanese deer antler netsuke, 19th century the largest 10…

19th Century Japanese Deer Antler Netsuke Set

Four Japanese deer antler netsuke, 19th century the largest 10 cm high

Two netsuke, seashell and shells with hermit crab

Seashell and Hermit Crab Netsuke

Two netsuke, seashell and shells with hermit crab

Three carved netsuke, including cat with mouse, rat in basket…

Carved Netsuke Trio

Three carved netsuke, including cat with mouse, rat in basket and figure with head (3)

Netsuke, cow

Cow Netsuke

Netsuke, cow

Netsuke, monkey

Monkey Netsuke

Netsuke, monkey

Antique Japanese carved lizard netsuke width 6 cm signed to base

Japanese Carved Lizard Netsuke Signed, 6cm Width

Antique Japanese carved lizard netsuke width 6 cm signed to base

Carved netsuke, frogs

Frog Netsuke Carvings

Carved netsuke, frogs

Carved netsuke animal

Carved Animal Netsuke

Carved netsuke animal

Carved netsuke, man riding fish

Fish Rider Netsuke

Carved netsuke, man riding fish

Antique Japanese carved immortal netsuke, height 4 cm

Japanese Immortal Netsuke Carving

Antique Japanese carved immortal netsuke, height 4 cm

A finely carved bone netsuke as a baby rat on mother's back,…

Matsuyama's Rat Netsuke with Inlaid Eyes

A finely carved bone netsuke as a baby rat on mother's back, with inlaid eyes, signed Matsuyama, Japan, Meiji period 1868-1912. Provenance: The property of a gentleman, height 3 cm, length 3.5 cm

Antique Japanese carved netsuke, monkey with young. Width 3.5…

Japanese Monkey Netsuke with Young

Antique Japanese carved netsuke, monkey with young. Width 3.5 cm approx.

A Japanese netsuke of a hand holding the monkey King, Sun…

Japanese Netsuke: Hand with Monkey King

A Japanese netsuke of a hand holding the monkey King, Sun Wukong, Showa period, 20th century, height 4.5 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the late June Fairall

19th century Japanese carved antler netsuke

Japanese antler netsuke carving

19th century Japanese carved antler netsuke

19th century Japanese carved netsuke of an old warrior, signed

Ancient Warrior Netsuke

19th century Japanese carved netsuke of an old warrior, signed

Japanese Kuroyaki netsuke of a Mouse, Meiji period, 19th…

Kuroyaki Mouse Netsuke with Inlaid Eyes and Nut

Japanese Kuroyaki netsuke of a Mouse, Meiji period, 19th century, with inlaid eyes, holding a nut, unsigned, length 4.3 cm

Three Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of man with…

Japanese Netsuke Carvings - Three Figures

Three Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of man with fan, man seated with sach and figure with hat, height 5 cm, 4.3 cm, 3 cm, (3)

Three Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a woman…

Japanese Carved Netsuke Set (3)

Three Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a woman holding a fan, man with fish and basket and a man holding a basket, height 6.5 cm, 6 cm, 4 cm (3)

Three Japanese carved netsuke, depicting a dragon, children…

Japanese Netsuke Carvings: Dragon, Children, Fish Wrestling on Duck

Three Japanese carved netsuke, depicting a dragon, children dressed as a dragon and two figures wrestling a fish on the back of a duck, height 5.5 cm, 5.5 cm, 4 cm (3)

Three Japanese carved netsuke, all incised and inked, signed,…

Japanese Netsuke Carvings Set of Three

Three Japanese carved netsuke, all incised and inked, signed, height 5.2 cm, 5 cm, 4.1 cm (3)

Fine Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a young boy…

Japanese Netsuke: Boy on Catfish

Fine Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a young boy riding upon the back of a cat fish, signed, length 4.5 cm

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a…

Japanese Mammoth Netsuke of Reclining Figure and Sach

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a reclining figure and sach, signed, length 5.5 cm

Japanese carved netsuke, finely carved in the form of a figure…

Japanese Netsuke Carving: Violinist with Pot Plant

Japanese carved netsuke, finely carved in the form of a figure with violin seated with pot plant behind, signed, height 4.7 cm

Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of an immortal…

Immortal with Toad Netsuke

Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of an immortal carrying a toad on his shoulders, height 7.3 cm

Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a standing…

Japanese Netsuke Carving: Standing Figure with Branch and Fruit

Japanese carved netsuke, carved in the form of a standing figure holding a branch and fruit, stained, signed height 8.6 cm

Japanese late Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of a…

Deer Rider Netsuke

Japanese late Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of a figure riding on the back of a deer which is eating, signed, height 5.2 cm

Japanese carved Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of two…

Meiji Netsuke: Women with Horses Under Tree

Japanese carved Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of two women under tree wearing scarves, holding ropes to horse heads, signed, length 5.5 cm