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
19th Century Japanese Lacquer Document Box, Ryoshibako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A resplendent Japanese gold maki-e lacquer ryoshibako, document box, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan.
The large document box, known in Japan as a ryoshibako, is decorated al...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Materials
Gold, Silver
Large Antique Tibetan Hand Hammered Copper Ritual Vessel or Butter Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
An unusually large antique Tibetan hammered copper ritual offering vessel or butter lamp with inset turquoise, 19th/20th century, circa 1900, Tibet.
The hand hammered copper vessel...
Category
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Metalwork
Materials
Stone, Copper
Large 18th Century Chinese Porcelain Turquoise Blue Glazed Budai Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Chinese turquoise blue glazed figure of Budai, the Happy Buddha, presented on a fitted hardwood stand, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, China.
The jovial and corpu...
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako with Fighting Cocks, Edo Period, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A powerful Japanese lacquer decorated suzuribako, writing box, featuring an image of fighting cocks, early Edo Period (1603 - 1868), 17th century, Japan. Ex. Charles Gillot Collectio...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Gold, Silver, Pewter, Gold Leaf
Japanese Lacquer Natsume, Tea Caddy, Meiji to Taisho, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Japanese maki-e lacquer natsume, tea caddy for matcha powder, with phoenix design, Meiji or Taisho period, circa 1910's, Japan.
The small round container of typical form for...
Category
Vintage 1910s Japanese Taisho Lacquer
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair Chinese Burl Hardwood Sculptures of Boys on Buffalo, Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese carved hardwood burl figures of boys riding on buffalo, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China.
The pair of charming sculpture are each carved from a sing...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass, Hardwood, Burl
Pair Empire Style Malachite Obelisks with Ormolu Mounts, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A classic and elegant pair of Empire Style malachite and malachite veneer obelisks with ormolu mounts, 20th century, France.
The tall obelisks of typical form, with a gently tapered...
Category
20th Century French Empire Revival Obelisks
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu





