Okimono
is a Japanese term meaning "ornament for display; objet d'art; decorative object", typically displayed in a alcove or altar.
Etymology
The Japanese word compounds and.. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the loanword as "A standing ornament or figure, esp. one put in a guest room of a house", and records the first usage in 1886 by William Anderson.Description
An may be a small Japanese carving, similar to, but larger than. Unlike, which have a specific purpose, are purely decorative and are displayed in the. This view has however sometimes been questioned, with some suggesting that often had both utilitarian and decorative purposes, especially before Western influence. An can be made out of wood, ivory, ceramic or metal.Ivory Okimono Depicting a Rakan
This small ivory okimono represents a Rakan, an iconic figure in Buddhism embodying wisdom and compassion. The Rakan symbolizes enlightenment and serves as a model for Buddhist monks.
The sculpture shows the Rakan seated on a rock, holding a hossu, a ritual fly whisk used in Buddhist ceremonies. He is dressed in a kesa decorated with a dragon motif and a shisa head, traditional Japanese symbols of protection and power.
Dated between 1860 and 1900, this okimono illustrates the craftsmanship of artisans during the Meiji period in creating decorative ivory objects, combining fine detail and spiritual significance. It is carved from a single piece of ivory, demonstrating exceptional finesse.
One subcategory of is the, an articulated figure often made out of bronze or iron.
are normally not larger than a few centimetres. They depict all sorts of animals, mythological beasts, humans, gods, fruit, vegetables and objects, sometimes combined with each other, in all sorts of positions. Sometimes a scene is portrayed as well, either a daily scene or from a story.
Anything that could be carved or made into a small object can be used in an. Some were inspired by a group of objects and were supposed to be shown together as an ensemble.