Wooden Edo Period Japanese Ojime Bead

Shop this wooden Edo period Japanese ojime bead dating to the Edo period of the 19th century. This carving is unusual as it is carved to replicate a natural bark veneer, similar to known examples of work by Shibata Zeshin, a master Japanese lacquer artist and painted of the Edo period and Meiji era. This manner of replicating natural surfaces in carving and lacquer work is a known style. Many ojime bead designs often imitate designs found in nature (such as branches, leaves, fruit), insects, animals, and folk tale stories.

The exterior of this bead has traces of lacquer, which may indicate at one point in time that the surface was once given a lacquer coating. While these objects are not often used for traditional purposes in modern times, they are often adapted for jewelry necklaces, beaded necklaces, charms, or bracelets through the use of inro.