Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
What is the difference between a netsuke and a Okimono?
1 Answer
A netsuke is a small object, commonly made of carved ivory or wood, but also sometimes various other materials, including ceramic, bone, horn, coral, or even metals. Netsuke served both a decorative and functional purpose. Netsuke always have two holes, and were used as a cord fastener attached to an inro.
An okimono is simply a decorative sculpture or object, meant for display and to be admired. Okimono can be made of almost any material, and are usually much larger than netsuke.
Lotus GalleryMarch 17, 2021
Shop for Japanese Carved on 1stDibs
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Wood Shogun, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual Japanese carved wood, lacquer, and gilt decorated portrait sculpture of a shogun, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Inro, Meiji Period, late 19th c, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A good Japanese carved cinnabar three case inro with mixed metal ojime, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Materials
Silver, Copper
Pair Japanese Carved and Lacquered Inari Foxes, Showa Era, Dated 1951, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful and mischievous pair of Japanese carved and lacquered wood Inari foxes, kitsune, dated Showa year twenty six, corresponding to 1951, Japan.
Category
Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Elm
Japanese Lacquered Wood Sho Kannon, Momoyama/Edo Period, 17th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A tall and impressive Japanese carved and black lacquered figure of Sho Kannon Bosatsu, Momoyama or Edo Period, mid 17th century, on a later mid 19th century carved, painted, and gil...
Category
Antique Mid-17th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Japanese Standing Gilt Buddha, Amida Nyorai, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Japanese carved hinoki and gilt lacquered standing figure of Amida Nyorai, Amitabha Buddha, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan.
Category
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Rock Crystal
Japanese Abstract Expressionist Carved Wood Sculpture by Takao Kimura
By Takao Kimura
Located in Austin, TX
A powerful abstract expressionist caved elm wood sculpture by Japanese artist Takao Kimura, circa 1970s. Carved in two parts, the swooping, concave body plays dramatically with the o...
Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Expressionist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Elm
Shop More furniture from Lotus Gallery on 1stDibs
Japanese Gold Maki-e Lacquer Round Box with Bamboo and Tokugawa Mon, Edo Period
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine Japanese gold maki-e lacquer round confectionary box, kashibako, featuring bamboo and Tokugawa mon, late Edo Period, mid 19th century, Japan.
The elegant box of circular...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Gold Leaf
After Ogata Korin, Japanese Gold Lacquer Round Box, Meiji Period
By Ogata Korin
Located in Austin, TX
A striking Japanese Shijo School kinji gold lacquer round box, kashibako, with a shibayama design of horse and fuyou (cotton rose hibiscus), apocryphally signed Hokkyo Korin for Ogat...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Materials
Pewter
Japanese Rinpa School Lacquer Box with Autumn Flowers, Tebako, Edo Period
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Japanese Rinpa School lacquer box for personal accessories, te-bako, featuring a dense design of autumn flowers and grasses, Edo Period, early to mid 19th century, Japan.
Th...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Silver, Pewter, Gold Leaf
Japanese Meiji Bronze Vase with Auspicious Animals, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
An impressive Japanese cast and parcel gilt bronze vase with auspicious animals, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The striking vase heavily cast and of flattened and modified balust...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Prince Shōtoku at Age 16, Kōyō-Zō Hanging Scroll, Edo/Meiji Period, mid 19th c
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and beautiful Japanese Buddhist devotional kōyō-zō painting of the revered Prince Shōtoku at the age of 16, mineral pigments and gilding on fine silk, silk brocade mounting, h...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Materials
Gold Leaf
Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Letter Box, Fubako, Edo Period, mid 19th c
Located in Austin, TX
A striking and powerful Japanese maki-e lacquer fubako, box for letters, with hawk, cherry, and Fuji, late Edo Period, circa 1850, Japan.
The cover of the fubako wonderfully worked ...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Framed Silk Embroidered Panel with Foo Dogs, circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
A fun and attractive Chinese coral silk ground, couched stitch, silk and metallic thread embroidered panel with foo lions at play, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, circa 1...
Category
Vintage 1910s Chinese Qing Textiles
Materials
Metallic Thread
