Dragons, gods, demons - ojime - symbolic content hidden in miniature form

Abstract

The symbolic aspect of an object reveals another aspect, discovered nowadays through acquaintance with literature, beliefs, myths and legends. Thanks to this knowledge, a piece of art can be perceived not only with regards to its external form, but also to its content. This presentation aims to disclose some external features with a primary focus on the iconographic analysis of miniature art subjects - the collection of forty four 19th century Japanese ojime. Ojime is a bead - an ornamental element also used practically on a personal lacquered box (inro) and its accompanying netsuke.