Puntogf Antiques.

Antique Kimono Over

Netsuke & Inro Really Belong Together!

Netsuke

Japanese netsukes are superb little carvings, mostly made out of ivory or wood, as handling pieces, or toggles. So one good way of judging a good netsuke is to handle it – it should feel very comfortable and interesting, in the hand, having no sharp points Netsuke are often only about an inch high, yet these tiny sculptures are very powerfully carved and so full of character.

Each netsuke will always have a couple of linked holes (or a deliberate gap often between a tail or leg) for a cord to be attached so that they could be used as a toggle. They were then most often attached to an inro. Yet there are many collectors that only collect netsuke without owning any inro.

Inro and Ojime

So what is an inro? These are finely decorated lacquer containers, consisting of a number of interlocking compartments (often between 3 – 6 sections) all held together on a cord. An ojime (decorative bead) was then threaded onto the cord that once pushed down towards the inro, kept all the compartments closed. Ojime can be exquisitely carved metal, ivory or stone beads. These inro were then used for carrying such small personal items as seals and pills and became fashionable with the Kimono.

The kimono had no pockets so the inro, held closed by the ojime, would be worn hanging from the sash; the netsuke was then, pushed up under the sash, thus trapping and holding the inro in place.

The Japanese lacquer work on inro is so beautiful, yet it is such a difficult medium to work with as well as being a time consuming process. Not only does it involve building up a very large number of layers before any decorative work can be introduced, but there are also then several different very fine skills required in completing the decoration. Techniques involve using coloured lacquer, shell inlay, metal work and amazing applications of tiny bits of gold. What is extraordinary too, is that having completed the decoration, the lacquer and any metal, or shell decoration, often can be quite thick, yet all the inro sections fit into each other so smoothly that when the inro is closed, all one can see, are very fine lines that are really the dividing gaps between the various compartments.

The designs used by the lacquer artists were not only very finely executed but were often deliberately worked around both sides of the inro in such a way as to maximise curiosity – thus forcing one to want to turn the inro over to see what is on the other side.

What does seem a pity these days is that there are collectors that only collect netsuke, or inro, some even only collect the ojime! No doubt this has a great deal to do with the escalating cost of these treasures, but really these particular Japanese Antiques all belong together. It is so much more satisfying to find the ideal netsuke and ojime that relate well together with a favourite inro. To simply own an inro and ojime (these are often sold together) but without a netsuke makes the inro look so incomplete.

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

To see more articles with photographs please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/antiques/articles.htm

For more about Netsuke and inro please use the following link: -
http://www.jncohen.net/Netsuke/index.htm

Portrait of the Courtesan Hanaogi of the Ogiya, Wearing an Over-Kimono $19.99 Utamaro Portrait of the Courtesan Hanaogi of the Ogiya, Wearing an Over-Kimono - Giclee Print

Kimono-Clad Geisha Stands on a Bridge Over a Stream in a Park $39.99 Kimono-Clad Geisha Stands on a Bridge Over a Stream in a Park - Photographic Print

The Book of Kimono (Paperback) $20.02 This practical and attractive book makes available for the first time the basic knowledge and vocabulary needed to select and put on a kimono and obi. Whether for women or men, all kimono are cut and sewn essentially from a single pattern, but a number of variations must be considered, depending on the occasion. Guidelines are given to making these choices, and the way to dress in a kimono, from the preliminaries to tieing the bustle sash, is described in detail and fully illustrated. For women, there are formal kimono, obi and accessories, and the lightweight summer yukata; for men, the yukata and the ceremonial ensemble of kimono, haori coat and hakama skirt. Children`s kimono for festive events are also described. Kimono fashions have evolved over the centuries in response to varied influences. Today modern innovations are making the wearing of kimono at home and elsewhere an attractive alternative to Western garments. These are included here, along with a discussion of aesthetics, the history of the kimono, and the meaning that kimono culture can have for wearers and admirers throughout the world.

Lucy Love Sheer Kimono Wrap $33.6 Kimono cool. Wrap up in the Lucy Love Sheer Kimono Wrap this fall. This kimono is perfect for layering and looks great over a fitted long sleeve. It's casual enough for everyday wear but the sheer fabric makes it perfect for evening.

Abandon Floral Kimono Top $35 - Long sleeve kimono top by Abandon - Scoop neckline with wide drape sleeve cuffs - Sheer fabric with all over floral design colour: MULTI COLOUR, size: S,

Abandon Animal Kimono Top $35 - Long sleeve kimono top by Abandon - Scoop neckline with wide drape sleeve cuffs - Sheer fabric with all over animal print pattern colour: WHITE / BLACK, size: XS,

Abandon Feather Kimono $35 - Gorgeous kimono style top by Abandon - Open front with waterfall design - All over bold print in contrasting tones colour: MULTI COLOUR, size: XXS,

Kimono $57.99 Pat Woodworth Kimono - Art Print

Reverse Tribal Kimono $51.1 Trendy tribal. In a print that just won't quit, this Aztec wrap is perfect over an LBD, back to a crop and cutoffs and even worn beachside. The bold pattern paired back to the long fringe is fun and flirty making the Reverse Tribal Kimono a go-to for Spring style.

Kimono And the Colors of Japan (Paperback) $24.29 This distinctive volume reveals a unique antique kimono collection through various delicate Japanese colors and their use in kimono. The Japanese sensibility is immediately apparent in the classification of the nine traditional color categories of red, green, pink, blue, brown, purple, yellow, black/white, and gold/silver. Each spread presents a single color showing a page-wide photo of a kimono accompanied by a description of the color and its meaning in the context of Japanese culture. The author explains, "We organized the kimono and obi (sash) according to what I like to call Japanese Kokoro no Iro`-colors of the Japanese heart. Each category presents what individual colors express or signify. For example, we use white, black and gold as an expression of cheer. Red indicates the sun, blood, and fire. White, black, and silver express sadness." With the knowledge of both Western and traditional Japanese fashion cultures, Yumioka presents and describes his collection in an easily accessible style.

Kimono Chandelier by George Kovacs $370 Infuse the mystery of the Orient into a lighting scheme with the George Kovacs Kimono Chandelier, designed by Alecia Wesner. The canopy, frame and other hardware come in a rich Antique Dorian Bronze finish that contrasts with the lighter color of the uniquely patterned cylindrical beige silk shades. The creative and often humorous mid-century modern aesthetic of George Kovacs (1926-2007) made a lasting impression on contemporary lighting. The extraordinary George Kovacs lighting collection, which also includes pieces by Alecia Wesner, Karim Rashid and other mid-century modern lighting designers, is now part of the Minka Group. The George Kovacs Kimono Chandelier is available with the following: Details:Beige Silk shadesAntique Dorian Bronze finishUL ListedAdjustable height up to 62"Designed by Alecia WesnerLighting: Five 60 Watt 120 Volt Incandescent lamps (not included). Shipping: This item usually ships in 48 hours. Dimensions: Canopy: Height 1 In., Width 4 In. Fixture: Width 30 In., Diameter 30 In., Height Adjustable from 26 In. up to 62 In.

Kimono Cutie $29.99 Kimono Cutie

Womens Kimono $34.97 Womens Kimono

Kimono Birds $10 Kimono Birds

Suki's Kimono $6.68 Suki's Kimono

Okimono Kimono $9.69 Okimono Kimono

Kimono Five-Light Chandelier- Antique Bronze $433 Beige silk shades with oriental pattern blend with the antique bronze finish on this five light chandelier by designer Alecia Wesner. - Includes three 12" stems

Kimono 6-Light Chandelier by George Kovacs $370 Like the glow of lanterns through a rice paper screen, the George Kovacs Kimono 6-Light Chandelier illuminates a room with gentle, warm light. Designed by Alecia Wesner, it features six cylindrical patterned beige silk shades suspended in rows from the metal frame in a rich Antique Dorian Bronze finish. Height adjustable up to 126". The creative and often humorous mid-century modern aesthetic of George Kovacs (1926-2007) made a lasting impression on contemporary lighting. The extraordinary George Kovacs lighting collection, which also includes pieces by Alecia Wesner, Karim Rashid and other mid-century modern lighting designers, is now part of the Minka Group. The Kimono 6-Light Chandelier by George Kovacs is available with the following: Details:Antique Dorian Bronze finishBeige Silk shadesSquare canopy11' adjustable cord and cableUL ListedDesigned by Alecia WesnerLighting: Six 60 Watt 120 Volt Incandescent A-19 Medium base lamps (not included). Shipping: This item usually ships in 48 hours. Dimensions: Canopy: Length 5 in., Width 5 in. Fixture: Length 21 in., Width 13.75 in., Height Adjustable from 14.25 in. up to 126 In.

Kimono Six-Light Chandelier- Antique Bronze $433 Six downlights with patterned beige silk fabric shades blend with antique bronze finish and create a chandelier that is virtually a work of modern art. The canopy measures 5 3/4"W x 9"L. Includes 120" of cord and cable.

Antique Japan Fan - Kimono Woman Bamboo & Paper Uchiwa