The netsuke was a button or toggle like piece used by Japa-nese men to anchor the tobac-co pouch and other accesso-ries by means of a cord through the sash. Since the traditional costume contained no pockets, this was the only means of carrying tobacco, pipes, medications, etc.

The cord passed through each end of the lid of the tobacco pouch (inro) and then was drawn together as it passed through an oval bead (ojuime). Finally being threaded through two holes (himotoshi) in the netuske and knotted firmly.The cord with its appendages was then pushed up through the sash and the netsuke pre-vented it from slipping down.

The netsuke appeared in the Tokugawa period (1603— 1867) when all below samurai rank were forbidden to wear jewelry.  Early netsukes were carved boxwood or ivory. Lacquer or wood netsuke appeared in the later 18th century. Towards the end of the 19th century changes in dress and the introduction of the ciga-rette made the need for netsu-kes obsolete.  However, netsukes have continued to be made for export and have become the object of intense interest from collec-tors. Today, original netsukes can sell for hundreds of dollars