netsuke

American  

[net-skee, -skey, ne-tsoo-ke] / ˈnɛt ski, -skeɪ, ˈnɛ tsʊˈkɛ /

noun

1. (in Japanese art) a small figure of ivory, wood, metal, or ceramic, originally used as a buttonlike fixture on a man's sash, from which small personal belongings were hung.

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netsuke British  

/ ˈnɛtsʊkɪ /

noun

1. (in Japan) a carved toggle, esp of wood or ivory, originally used to tether a medicine box, purse, etc, worn dangling from the waist

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Etymology

Origin of netsuke

1880–85; < Japanese, equivalent to ne root + tsuke (earlier tuke ( y ) attach

Explanation

A netsuke is a small carved figure that was once commonly attached to a kimono sash so that purses or similar items could be hung on it. Traditional Japanese kimonos did not have pockets, so to carry personal items, men would put them in small containers that hung from a cord. The netsuke was tucked under the sash of the kimono, at the top of the cord, to act as a toggle or stopper preventing the cord from slipping through. There are several styles of netsuke, but the most common and famous type is a small sculpture of a person, animal, or mythical creature. Netsuke evolved from simple wood buttons into high art, and they are highly valued collectors' items today.

Example Sentences

All that survived intact of the family’s former treasures were the netsuke, which were smuggled out of the family’s mansion by a loyal maid and returned to the family after the war.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

When Mr. de Waal, a British ceramicist, inherited 264 of these netsuke from a relative in the 1990s, he became fascinated by their artistry—and their provenance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The author, himself a renowned ceramist, structured his family saga around a collection of 264 netsuke he inherited from his uncle.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022

In the book, de Waal describes tumbling the inherited netsuke in his hand and carrying them around in his pocket.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022

In addition to his tsubas and prints, Willy had a collection of so-called netsuke, some in boxwood, some in ivory, small, dice-like carvings, representing with remarkable animation all sorts of real and fantastic scenes.

From Atlantis by Seltzer, Adele Szold