What is an Ojime bead?

An ojime bead is a handcrafted decorative bead that is used in carrying cases. These beads are carved into specific shapes or feature images. They originated in Japan, and ojime in Japanese means “cord fastener.” The beads are usually 1 inch or less in diameter.

How can I tell the difference between vintage glass beads and plastic?

The easiest way to tell if a bead is glass or plastic is to feel it. Glass beads will be cooler to the touch, whereas plastic beads will be closer to room temperature and warm up quickly in your hands. Another test you can perform is to listen to the sound. Glass has a distinctive ring since it’s harder whereas plastic is softer and has a duller sound. Shop a range of vintage glass bead pieces on 1stDibs.

Vintage Ojime Beads

Recent Sales

Pearl Necklace suspending Rare Antique Signed Bronze Ojime Bead

Sold

L 17 in

Pearl Necklace suspending Rare Antique Signed Bronze Ojime Bead

Located in Montreal, QC

Ojime are a type of bead which originated in Japan.

Category

19th Century Japanese Vintage Ojime Beads

Materials

Cultured Pearl

Zodiac Animal Hand Carved Signed Ojime Beads Necklace

Sold

H 1 in L 21 in

Zodiac Animal Hand Carved Signed Ojime Beads Necklace

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This beautiful Chinese Ojime necklace is made of carved nuts handcrafted into 12 Zodiac animal beads with onyx eyes.

Category

20th Century Chinese Vintage Ojime Beads

Collection of Five Japanese Wood Netsukes / Ojime

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H 1.5 in W 1.75 in D 1 in

Collection of Five Japanese Wood Netsukes / Ojime

Located in San Diego, CA

One is super cool ojime bead. A majority of the pieces are signed and have black glass eyes.

Category

20th Century Japanese Vintage Ojime Beads

Materials

Wood

Ojime Bead Belt

Sold

L 40 in

Ojime Bead Belt

Located in Litchfield County, CT

The ojime bead was used to secure the opening of the inro.

Category

20th Century Vintage Ojime Beads

Japanese Inro Pipe Case Kanban (Shop Sign)

Sold

H 35 in

Japanese Inro Pipe Case Kanban (Shop Sign)

Located in Seattle, WA

The sign in the form of an oversize tonkotsu (smoking set) consisting of a single-section inro (seal case), of lacquered wood, with stitched leather pipe case (kiseruzutsu) and carve...

Category

20th Century Japanese Vintage Ojime Beads

Materials

Wood, Rope

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Questions About Vintage Ojime Beads

What is an Ojime bead?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
An ojime bead is a handcrafted decorative bead that is used in carrying cases. These beads are carved into specific shapes or feature images. They originated in Japan, and ojime in Japanese means “cord fastener.” The beads are usually 1 inch or less in diameter.
How can I tell the difference between vintage glass beads and plastic?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The easiest way to tell if a bead is glass or plastic is to feel it. Glass beads will be cooler to the touch, whereas plastic beads will be closer to room temperature and warm up quickly in your hands. Another test you can perform is to listen to the sound. Glass has a distinctive ring since it’s harder whereas plastic is softer and has a duller sound. Shop a range of vintage glass bead pieces on 1stDibs.