Netsuke
As an artwork, netsuke are unique to Japan where, from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, they were worn as a part of the traditional Japanese clothing, the kimono.. Small objects were carried in boxes, called sagemono (literally, "hanging object"). Sagemono took many forms: inro were lacquered cases for cosmetics, medicines, or seals, kinchaku were money cases, and tabako-ire were tobacco cases. , The netsuke served as the counterweight, attached to the other end of the cord..