Ojime Beads

Said to have instant powers that will mesmerize a lot of people, Ojime beads are considered to be very special. Most of the initial impression of the item is an animated charm where one cannot help but come closer for a look. If you happen to see the accessory, you will find out how small yet attractive the carvings in the boxwood that exposes lavish details and intricate undercuts. There are some people however, who suspect that the piece is only a cast replica because of how blemish- free the original result is.

Origin
From 1654 to 1868 or better identified as Edo Period, there were compartmentalized containers that were employed to hold acupuncture needles, medicinal herbs and personal belongings. In the start, Ojime beads were very simple which purely served as a sliding closure located above the “inro.” Soon enough, especially in the Meiji Period which is from 1868 to 1912, the boxes with dividers turned out to be a symbol of taste and status. It was then the onset of the item evolving as a beautiful molded accessory with challenging expressions of the skillful artisan.

Tradition
If you are familiar with the national costume of the land of the rising sun, you know that a kimono does not have any pockets. Due to such, both the local men and women would be dressed in a compartmentalized container which is dubbed as “inro” typically hung under the obi, a broad textile belt on two cords. Above the string, a netsuke is anchored primarily functioning as a toggle. The smaller Ojime beads dish up as a sliding closure to lock the lid.

Significance
The patterns of the Ojime beads suggest the mundane concerns of life as well as literature including myth and poetry. There are also items that exhibit the natural surroundings and indigenous customs. Accessories that were produced out of exquisite pieces such as rhinoceros husk and narwhal tusk are believed to possess magical properties and protective elements innate to the material. Take for example two fish paired together, it symbolizes harmony that is deemed to fight against evil.

Value
In the rich culture of the Japanese, Ojime beads play a significant role. Most of the time, the item is engraved in elephant ivory but there are also others that are constructed out of tortoise shells, jade, gold, silver, coral, lacquer, glass and whale molars. Those accessories that dated back to the ancient periods have been treated as favorite collectibles by the natives. When you refer to a global scale, the pieces are regarded as the most precious.

There may have been plenty said about Ojime beads but fact remains that the item is essential in the mores and ethos of Japan.