Netsuke

For hundreds of years, Japanese men have worn loose fitting robes called kimonos, fastened around the waist by a sash cord called an obi.   Because these robes had no pockets, they carried whatever articles they needed in pouches tied to their sash cords.   The weight of the pouch created a problem. If it was tied to the obi, it was difficult to remove and open.  If it was not tied, it would slip off the obi.  An unknown Japanese craftsman came up with an ingenious solution to this problem.  He carved little figurines out of ivory and other materials.  The figurines had 2 holes in the back.  By passing the purse strings through the figurine, it created a counterweight that would would act as a hook on the sash and hold the purse securely in place, while still being quick and easy to remove.  The figurines were called Netsuke (pronounced net-ski), and they became extremely popular, and were viewed as something of a status symbol.   Because they prevented the loss of money and other valuables, they came to represent general good fortune and protection from poverty to whoever owns one.  Today, antique Netsuke sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars.  Our Netsuke have two advantages over the originals.  First is that being made from a resin compound, they look and feel like the originals, while costing only a few dollars.  The second advantage is that no elephants had to die to make them.

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