http://www.adamsavenuedesign.com/ojime-japanese/
Netsuke Cord Holes (himotoshi)
When collecting Japanese netsuke most of the true antique netsuke, as against lots of modern copies, will normally have two connecting cord holes (known as himotoshi), but one will be much larger than the other!
The netsuke was a handling piece, that was on a cord to a compartment (Sagemono), often this was an inro (a case of several compartments), that was kept closed by a corded bead (ojime) between the inro and the netsuke. The kimono had no pockets so the inro was worn hanging from the kimono sash (obi); the netsuke was then, pushed up under the sash, thus trapping and holding the Sagemono in place.
The reason for the larger hole in the netsuke was that once the cord had been threaded through the inro (or Sagemono) and ojime (the netsuke would then have been threaded on last) it was possible to completely hide the one and only cord knot inside the larger hole.
So the way the smaller hole connected to the larger hole was very well formed providing a smooth curved link that was easy to thread the cord through. Often the larger hole was hollowed out even more, under the surface, in order to provide plenty of space for the knot.
The Manju, often used instead of a netsuke, also had plenty of space to hide the knot within the opening of the two sections.
In my personal view, although there are some very fine netsuke that relied on being threaded through a tail, or a leg, instead of having the usual himotoshi, there was then quite a disadvantage in use, as there was no longer anyway of concealing the cord knot.
Another important factor is the position of such himotoshi, they were always placed so that, as the cord hangs down, the netsuke carving is presented attractively and the right way up. But, these cord holes were also placed in such a way that they did not detract from any of the detailed carving.
Many of the poor quality later netsuke (these were never used, but were really made simply to cash in, on the increasing value of netsuke) are often easy to spot. When inspecting a netsuke if the two holes are of equal size and poorly formed (often these are just two drilled holes angled to meet each other) then you can be sure this is not a good netsuke!
Sadly one can no longer just rely on judging the himotoshi to identify a modern copy, as some now do have smaller and larger holes, especially the recent resin copies of netsuke.
About the Author
John N. Cohen A past director of Jacey Cinemas Ltd. Later the proprietor of a design & photographic studio, now a director of Jacey Homes Ltd., a property development company. Interests and Hobbies: A top international award winning photographer who also became a well known Asian antiques collector and an enthusiast of Jensen British classic cars. Other interests are skiing and Salsa dancing.
For John’s other interests please have a look at: - http://www.jncohen.net
The author has been a very keen collector for many years in helping to create ‘The Cohen collection’. To see more articles with photographs please click on the following link: http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm
sagemono 03-Trad Japan-
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TRADE-BEADS-ANTIQUE-RARE-JAPANESE-CARVED-NUT-OJIME-FOR-NETSUKE $12.35 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead- Dragon Turtle $105.00 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead- Baby White FOX sits,signed by artist $95.00 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead- Baby GOAT with Goatee,signed by artist $95.00 |
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JAPANESE OXBONE NETSUKE,WITH WOOD OJIME AND LEATHER POUCH $380.00 |
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Japanese Handcrafted Samurai Inro & Ojime w/Signature $33.33 |
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Japanese Ojime Bead Hand Carved Wood - Cockerel in Hand $10.99 |
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Japan Japanese Tabacco Pouch w/ Ojime & Woven Straw Kiseruzutsu Meiji ca. 1900 $195.00 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Lion on an Ingot - Signed $9.41 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Tiger / Lion $23.56 |
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Large Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Oriental Zodiac Calendar - Dog $23.56 |
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Large Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Zodiac Calendar - Rat $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Nude Lady $9.41 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Octopus $10.99 |
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TRADE-BEADS-ANTIQUE-RARE-JAPANESE-CARVED-NUT-OJIME-FOR-NETSUKE $44.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Dog $10.99 |
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SMALL ANTIQUE JAPANESE SINGLE CASE BRONZE & GILT INRO, JADE OJIME, MASK NETSUKE $899.99 |
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JAPANESE SAGEMONO TABACCO POUCH OJIME AND NETSUKE $380.00 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE SINGLE CASE CARVED CINNABAR INRO, BEAD OJIME, SKULL NETSUKE $1,195.00 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE CARVED & ENGRAVED BONE INRO w/ ROUND CARVED BONE OJIME $499.99 |
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Hand Carved Japanese Wooden Ojime Bead - Oriental Man $10.99 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE OLD MEIJI PERIOD INRO HAND CARVED WOODEN ELEPHANT OJIME NETSUKI $200.00 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD OLD GOLD LACQUER INRO MAN HORSE WITH OJIME NETSUKE $600.00 |
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FINE ANTIQUE CARVED OX BONE JAPANESE PANDA BEAR OJIME BEAD SIGNED NR $20.70 |
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INRO JAPANESE LACQUER SAGEMONO MAKIE OJIME NETSUKE EDO PERIOD SHINOBUGUSA DESIGN $56.00 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Horse $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Grasshopper / Insect $9.41 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Oriental Man - Signed by Artist $9.41 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Frog on an Ingot - Signed $23.56 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE SINGLE CASE GILT BRONZE INRO, AMBER OJIME, WOODEN NETSUKE $499.99 |
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3 intricate Japanese ojime nut trade beads wooden hand carved unique scarce look $9.95 |
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Woolly Mammuthus Antique Japanese Ojime Bead Netsuke-Baby Owl~*~ $33.00 |
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Japanese ojime/netsuke-Rabbit standing with Front Paws $55.00 |
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Japanese Handwork Boxwood Wood Carving Ojime Beads Ox $7.99 |
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Japanese Handwork Boxwood Wood Carving Ojime Beads Pig $7.99 |
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Japanese Handwork Boxwood Wood Carving Ojime Beads Dog $7.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Panda with Bamboo Shoot - Japanese $23.56 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Rabbit with a Peanut - Oriental $47.13 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Dog / Puppy - Oriental $47.13 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Ram - Japanese $23.56 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Rabbit with a Shoe - Oriental $47.13 |
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Vintage Chinese Japanese Cockerill Hen Longevity Farmyard Netsuke Ojime Necklace $34.56 |
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Vintage Signed Japanese Chinese Collectable Monkey Netsuke Ojime Necklace $34.56 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead-Fearsome Dragon #1 Celebrate Chinese New Year ,signe $85.00 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead-Fearsome Dragon #2 Celebrate Chinese New Year ,signe $85.00 |
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Japanese netsuke/Ojime bead-Fearsome Dragon #3 Celebrate Chinese New Year $85.00 |
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Japanese WOA-Netsuke/Ojime/Inro/Prints-GREAT!-1974 -Sotheby Parke Bernet $20.00 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE CARVED CORAL SKULL~ OJIME BEAD ~ NETSUKE $9.99 |
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Japanese ojime/netsuke - A Cute Little Penis with Face of a Smiling MAN ! $95.00 |
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Japanese Handcarved Oxbone ojime/netsuke - Teeth Nashing SKULL $11.99 |
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Japanese Antique Leather Pouch Bronze Dragon Kagamibuta Netsuke, Clasp, & Ojime $455.00 |
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Antique Woolly Material Japanese Netsuke Turtle Carving Ojime bead N3424 $40.00 |
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Antique Woolly Material Japanese Netsuke Snake Carving Ojime bead N3426 $40.00 |
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Antique Woolly Material Japanese Netsuke Turtle Carving Ojime bead N3420 $40.00 |
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JAPANESE BOXWOOD OJIME BEAD CUTE DOG $1.57 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Monkey Carrying a Baby - Japanese $23.56 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Rabbit with a Carrot - Oriental $47.13 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Cat Carrying a Basket - Japanese $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Buddha Head $7.84 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Toad - Signed $10.99 |
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Hand Carved Japanese Wooden Ojime Bead - Tiger on Ingot $7.84 |
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Japanese Single-Case Wood Inro-with Ojime and Netsuke $175.00 |
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1'' Japanese Ojime Carving Sculpture Boxwood Wood Signed Dragon $7.99 |
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Japanese Ojime Bead Netsuke :3 Pregnant Wise Monkeys $19.99 |
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1'' Japanese Ojime Carving Sculpture Boxwood Wood Signed Pumpkin $7.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Dragon with a Coin - Signed $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Camel - Signed $10.99 |
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1'' Japanese Carving Ojime Tiger Sculpture Boxwood Wood Signed $7.99 |
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ANTIQUE BEADS JAPANESE OJIME BEAD C.1880-1920 $70.64 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Apple $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Dragon Turtle - Signed $9.41 |
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Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Shell - Oriental $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Plant / Seedpod $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Dolphin - Signed $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Seedpod - Japanese $23.56 |
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Japanese Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Camel - Signed $10.99 |
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ANTIQUE JAPANESE HAND CARVED OKIMONO SET SEVEN 7 IMMORTALS OLD OJIME $675.00 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Laying Bird / Swan - Japanese $23.56 |
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Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Snail - Signed $10.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Frog $10.99 |
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Antique Agate Japanese Ojime Carving HS WoW! $225.00 |
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Amber Agate Chinese Japanese Rabbit Ojime Bead Unusual Original gift Necklace $31.42 |
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Japanese Porcelain Inro w/ manju and ojime $599.00 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Frog / Toad - Signed $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Plant / Seedpod - Japanese $23.56 |
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Japanese amber netsuke/ojime-Small Deadly Skull,signed $28.00 |
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trio antique rare Japanese hand carved ojime nut trade beads wood intricate $17.50 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Proud Owl $10.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Rhino - Signed $10.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Ojime Bead - Japanese - Laying Deer $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Ox Bone Ojime Bead - Climbing Frog - Signed - Japanese $23.56 |
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RARE OLD PRISTINE JAPANESE OJIME BEAD "HAPPY/SAD FACE" 15mm x 15mm x 18mm $122.50 |
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Bronze Japanese Ojime Bead - Erotic Man & Woman Scene $61.29 |
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Large Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Zodiac Calendar - Ox $23.56 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Wooden Japanese Ojime Bead - Owl on a Branch $10.99 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Ox Bone Japanese Ojime Bead - Cat - Signed $23.56 |
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Japanese ojime/netsuke - A Cute Little Goldfish ! $75.00 |
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Japanese ojime/netsuke - A Skeleton Drummer with DRUM $115.00 |
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Oriental Hand Carved Ox Bone Ojime Bead - Pig - Signed - Japanese $23.56 |
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Hand Carved Japanese Wooden Ojime Bead - Pig on Ingot $7.84 |
