What is netsuke meaning?

Netsuke are traditional Japanese toggles or small sculptural objects used to attach pouches or containers to a kimono or obi sash. Made from materials such as ivory, wood, or metal, netsuke date back to the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) and were originally used to hold small items like tobacco and other personal belongings. Later on, they became popular as decorative accessories and status symbols. The word netsuke means "root attachment," as they were often carved from small pieces of a root. They are also often intricately carved with intricate designs, often depicting animals or mythical creatures, and are highly collectible and valuable works of art.