Netsuke Beads

In traditional Japanese dress from the 17th century, the inro box (compartments that stacked together) hung from the obi (belt like sash) of a kimono, on a double cord.  At the top of the cord, a large carved bead called a netsuke 根付 acted as a toggle to anchor the inro.  A much smaller carved bead called an ojime bead, helped to keep the inro box closed. 

Most of our netsuke have authentic double-holes in the base, so when strung on a necklace they will hang upside-down. These Netsuke beads are hand-carved by contemporary Chinese Master-Carvers (not children), who take up to four hours to make each one. 

24 products
  • Turtle Netsuke Boxwood Bead - Turtle Stack
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Dragon with Solar Shield Hand-Carved Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Alligator Netsuke Bead Hand-Carved Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Tiger with Paw Up Hand-Carved Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Coiled Snake Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Rooster Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Crab Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Lizard on Branch Netsuke Bead
    $48.00
    $48.00
    Sold out
  • Chameleon Mom and Baby Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $48.00
    $48.00
    Sold out
  • Frogs Playing Ball Hand-Carved Boxwood Netsuke Bead Rugby Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Frog on bamboo reed boxwood Netsuke figures bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Baby Elephant Netsuke Bead
    $70.00
    $70.00
    Sold out
  • Crab on Octopus Inro Box with Crab Ojime Bead and Crab Netsuke Bead
    $196.00
    $196.00
    Sold out
  • Tiger Bead boxwood Netsuke
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Sumo Wrestler Frog Bead Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Horse Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Monkey on Horse Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Dragon with Ball Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Chimpanzee in Bamboo Circle Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out
  • Buddha Face Japanese Hand-Carved Boxwood Netsuke Bead
    $71.00
    $71.00
    Sold out