Hand-carved boxwood bead inspired by the antique Japanese Ojime. Ojime are the sliding beads on the cord of the Inro Box. Geishas carried an Inro Box to hold their money and personal necessities. An Ojime bead is a Japanese bead or geisha bead that was used with an inro box and a netsuke bead.
This Ojime bead was carved by a contemporary Chinese Master-Carver (not a child), who took up to as long as four hours to make it. This hand carved bead is 3/4" wide and 1" high and vertically-drilled. This is an unbelievable value for such craftsmanship.
Please note that the cobra, coiled snake, reclining nude, and chimpanzee in the bamboo hoop are NOT DRILLED. Some Ojime beads were made so that a strap could weave in and out of the bead, as is the case with these beads.
The dragon pillow bead is only carved on one side - the flip side is smooth.
Product code 33.