What are Japanese netsukes?

Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.

Japanese Netsuke

19th Century Japanese Wood Carving

Category

Vintage 1930s Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Old Signed Hand Carved Netsuke Lion Dog Shi Shi, Boxwood Gem

$199

Japanese Peanuts Netsuke

Located in PARIS, FR

Wood netsuke of three peanuts. A naturalistic grouping, dark stained. An ivory plug may bear a

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Peanuts Netsuke

$1,801

Japanese Okame Woman Netsuke

Located in Chicago, IL

This netsuke (or button-like toggle) would once have hung from the drawstring of a small pouch or

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Steel

Japanese Okame Woman Netsuke

$2,480

Japanese Wooden Squash Netsuke

Located in Chicago, IL

Traditional Japanese garments had no pockets, and so people carried their personal belongings in

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Squash Netsuke

$288

Japanese Meiji era chestnut netsuke

Located in PARIS, FR

Wooden netsuke featuring a group of three chestnuts. One of them reveals a tiny hole and the head

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Meiji era chestnut netsuke

$1,681

Collection of Three Japanese Turtle Netsukes

Located in San Diego, CA

Fun collection of three Japanese turtle netsukes hand-carved from resin, circa 1960s. They are in

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Resin

Collection of Three Japanese Turtle Netsukes

$250

Japanese Wooden Daruma Netsuke, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

The lack of pockets on traditional Japanese kimonos resulted in small pouches or boxes that were

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Daruma Netsuke, c. 1900

$380

19th Century Japanese Double Gourd Netsuke

Located in Chicago, IL

In 19th-century Japan, kimono-clad men compensated for the garment’s lack of pockets by wearing

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Brass

19th Century Japanese Double Gourd Netsuke

$268

Japanese Gourd-Form Walnut Netsuke Charm

Located in Chicago, IL

Japanese artisans have long held mastery in the creation of miniature treasures, or netsuke. This

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone, Walnut

Japanese Gourd-Form Walnut Netsuke Charm

$458

Skull Netsuke, Boxwood, Japan, 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

Netsuke skull. Carved boxwood, Japan, 19th century. Carved boxwood skull with inked characters

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Other Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Skull Netsuke, Boxwood, Japan, 19th Century

$648

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sumo 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sumo 1920s

$540

Japanese into with netsuke, late 19th c

Located in Stockholm, SE

A four part Japanese inro with a netsuke. The inro made of horn with engraved motives of dragons

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Horn

Japanese into with netsuke, late 19th c

$582

Japanese Signed Boxwood Mouse Netsuke

Located in Nottingham, GB

From a private collection. Free international shipping. Japanese Signed Boxwood Mouse Netsuke

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Signed Boxwood Mouse Netsuke

$268

Signed Japanese Edo Netsuke Inro

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Edo Netsuke

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Edo Netsuke Inro

$475

Collection of Five Japanese Wood Netsukes / Ojime

Located in San Diego, CA

Fun collection of five Japanese wood netsukes and ojimes, circa 20th century. Four of the pieces

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Collection of Five Japanese Wood Netsukes / Ojime

$750

Japanese Inro with Netsuke, Late 19th Century

Located in Stockholm, SE

A fine inro made of lacquer with motives of swans with a bone netsuke. Black and gold. Very good

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Bone, Lacquer

Japanese Inro with Netsuke, Late 19th Century

$2,162

Japanese Wooden Netsuke Two mouses 1950s Hiro

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. The signature is written

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Netsuke Two mouses 1950s Hiro

$540

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1960s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1960s. Dimensions: 2.5 x 6.8 x H3.7

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1960s

$504

Antique Wood Monkey Netsuke 19th-20th Century Japanese Masakazu, Japan

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

, Japan, 19th century. Condition Overall condition very nice. Ca 1.5cm high Period Meiji Periode

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Wood Monkey Netsuke 19th-20th Century Japanese Masakazu, Japan

$720

Antique Wood Netsuke Hotei with Fan Japanese Signed Shojaku Japan

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Rare, 18th-19th century Wood, Hotei in his bag. Signed Shojaku. Measures: H. 4 cm. Provenance: Nagel, 13 November 2004, lot 2665. Con...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Wood Netsuke Hotei with Fan Japanese Signed Shojaku Japan

$1,141

Japanese Inro with Its Netsuke, Late 19th C.

Located in Stockholm, SE

A nicely executed Japanese inro with a netsuke. The inro is made of lacquer and the netsuke carved

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Boxwood, Lacquer

Japanese Inro with Its Netsuke, Late 19th C.

$660

Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Good condition From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

$241

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Immortal

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Meiji

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Immortal

$130

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Fisherman

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Meiji

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Fisherman

$156

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Pig 1920s Taisho Era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Pig 1920s Taisho Era

$384

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Tiger Meiji Era 1900s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around meiji period 1900s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Tiger Meiji Era 1900s

$276

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtle Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 1800s Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtle Edo Era 1800s

$359

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Frog Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 1800s Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Frog Edo Era 1800s

$303

Japanese Collection Carved Wood Animal and Fish Netsuke

Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire

A Japanese collection six carved wood netsukes portraying animals and fish and dating from the

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Other Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Collection Carved Wood Animal and Fish Netsuke

$248

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Bat 1950s Showa Era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Bat 1950s Showa Era

$384

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Three monkeys 1920s Taisho

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Three monkeys 1920s Taisho

$756

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtles and Shell , 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. This netsuke was made by

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtles and Shell , 1920s

$540

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Bee and Lotus 1960s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1960s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Bee and Lotus 1960s

$384

Signed Japanese Inro with a Signed Round Lacquer Netsuke

Located in Stockholm, SE

A Japanese inro with a netsuke made in the late 19th c. Both signed by artist. The Inro as wells

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Signed Japanese Inro with a Signed Round Lacquer Netsuke

$1,621

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Charme Wild Pig 1920s Taisho

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. It will come with a wooden box

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Charme Wild Pig 1920s Taisho

$696

Japanese Lacquered Inro and Netsuke with Raijin Rinpa School

Located in Atlanta, GA

A fine three-case lacquered inro with a carved money netsuke circa 19th century (late Edo to early

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Lacquered Inro and Netsuke with Raijin Rinpa School

$2,800

JAPAN 1890 Meiji Sculptural Polychromate Netsuke Of a Yamabushi

Located in Miami, FL

Japanese Meiji period netsuke. of a Yamabushi. This is an exceedingly beautiful and intricate

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone

JAPAN 1890 Meiji Sculptural Polychromate Netsuke Of a Yamabushi

$1,398

Signed Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Inro of Birds

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Boxwood

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Inro of Birds

$406

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sitting Rabbit 1900s Meiji Gyokuseki

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Meiji period 1900s. The signature is written

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sitting Rabbit 1900s Meiji Gyokuseki

$552

Taisho Period Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke of a Tiger

Located in Point Richmond, CA

fashionable indicators of status. Netsuke commonly depict imagery from nature, myth, and Japanese history

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Taisho Period Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke of a Tiger

$750

Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke " A Turtle with 7 Frogs", Signed

Located in Norton, MA

Presenting a fine treasure of a Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke " A Turtle with 7 Frogs", depicting 7

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke " A Turtle with 7 Frogs", Signed

$875

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Netsuke Carved Shell In Ivory With Snails

Located in Miami, FL

Japanese Meiji period netsuke. This is a beautiful netsuke, created during the imperial Japan in

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Ivory

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Netsuke Carved Shell In Ivory With Snails

$698

Japanese Boxwood Three Section Inro Netsuke of Cranes by Tomotada

Located in San Diego, CA

A really nice vintage Japanese boxwood three-section inro and netsuke of cranes by Tomotada, circa

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Boxwood Three Section Inro Netsuke of Cranes by Tomotada

$1,250

Japanese Wood Carved Frog Sake Cup Netsuke with Lotus Inside

Located in Studio City, CA

on the base. From a collection of Japanese artifacts and netsukes. Would make for a fantastic

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wood Carved Frog Sake Cup Netsuke with Lotus Inside

$599

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Frog and Turtles Edo Era, 1850s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1850s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Frog and Turtles Edo Era, 1850s

$384

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Monkey and Peach Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Monkey and Peach Edo Era 1800s

$312

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Chi-Lin " by Yoshitoshi Late Meiji Era

Located in Norton, MA

Presenting a famous netsuke artist, Yoshitoshi from Japanese, a carved netsuke "The Dragon" dated

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Chi-Lin " by Yoshitoshi Late Meiji Era

$475

Japanese Fine Boxwood Netsuke Elephant Meiji 19th Century

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Fine Boxwood Netsuke Elephant Meiji 19th Century Good condition Free international

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Fine Boxwood Netsuke Elephant Meiji 19th Century

$155

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Horse Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Good condition From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Horse Netsuke Inro Ojime

$378

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Dog Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Good condition From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Dog Netsuke Inro Ojime

$241

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Owl Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Good condition From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Owl Netsuke Inro Ojime

$378

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Monkey Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Very good condition. From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Monkey Netsuke Inro Ojime

$181

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Mermaid Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime, signed Very good condition. From a private collection

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Mermaid Netsuke Inro Ojime

$378

Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki

Located in San Diego, CA

A vintage Japanese boxwood inro and netsuke ball of twelve animals by Kozuki, circa 1940s. The

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki

$750

Well-Carved Japanese Boxwood Netsuke of Daruma Holding Whisk by Ishikawa

Located in San Diego, CA

A well-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of Daruma holding a whisk broom over the head by Ishikawa

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Well-Carved Japanese Boxwood Netsuke of Daruma Holding Whisk by Ishikawa

$425

Japanese Carved Netsuke Polychrome Figure Group"Floating on sea" Signed , Meiji

Located in Norton, MA

Netsuke Japanese Hand-Carved Polychrome Figure Group depicts a woman standing on a board holding a

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ivory, Paint

Japanese Carved Netsuke Polychrome Figure Group"Floating on sea" Signed , Meiji

$2,500

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Rat on the Wood Board" Signed, Meiji Era

Located in Norton, MA

A Japanese Antique carved netsuke "The Rat on the Wood Board" dated around the late 19th to early

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Rat on the Wood Board" Signed, Meiji Era

$575

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Japanese Netsuke For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Japanese netsuke available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and bone, every item from our selection of Japanese netsuke was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of Japanese netsuke you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An object in our assortment of Japanese netsuke is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in styles are sought with frequency. A well-made option in this array of Japanese netsuke has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Japanese School are consistently popular.

How Much is a Japanese Netsuke?

Prices for a piece of Japanese netsuke can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $190 and can go as high as $11,559, while the average can fetch as much as $899.

Questions About Japanese Netsuke

What are Japanese netsukes?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.

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