netsuke
[ net-skee, -skey; Japanese ne-tsoo-ke ]
/ ˈnɛt ski, -skeɪ; Japanese ˈnɛ tsʊˈkɛ /
noun
(in Japanese art) a small figure of ivory, wood, metal, or ceramic, originally used as a buttonlike fixture on a man's sash, from which small personal belongings were hung.
Origin of netsuke
1880–85; < Japanese, equivalent to
ne root +
tsuke (earlier
tuke(y) attach
Words nearby netsuke
netman,
netrebko,
netroot,
netroots,
netspeak,
netsuke,
nett,
netted melon,
nettie,
nettilling lake,
netting
Example sentences from the Web for netsuke
The netsuke has, of course, no place in this form of the tabako-ire.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2 |Elizabeth BislandIn order to suspend this from the girdle there was employed a kind of button or toggle—the netsuke.
The netsuke and the pipe, with all that pertained to it, were for the commoners what the sword-hilt and guard were for the gentry.
British Dictionary definitions for netsuke
netsuke
/ (ˈnɛtsʊkɪ) /
noun
(in Japan) a carved toggle, esp of wood or ivory, originally used to tether a medicine box, purse, etc, worn dangling from the waist
Word Origin for netsuke
C19: from Japanese