Netsuke

Okay kiddo, you know how sometimes when you wear pants with no pockets, you need to find a place to keep your extra stuff like coins or keys? Well, a long time ago in Japan, people didn't have pockets in their clothing. So, they needed another way to carry things around with them. That's where netsuke comes in!

Netsuke are small, decorative objects that are attached to the end of a cord, which would then be threaded through a person's sash (kind of like a belt). This cord would hold things like medicine boxes, tobacco pouches, or other small items. The netsuke would then be used to keep the cord from slipping back through the sash, so everything would stay secure and in place.

Netsuke come in many different shapes and designs, and are often carved out of materials like ivory or wood. Some are shaped like animals, while others have intricate patterns or designs on them. People would often collect netsuke as a way to show off their wealth and style.

So, there you have it, little one! Netsuke helped people in Japan carry their things when they didn't have pockets, and they're cute and decorative too.