| Original Message: The purse is made of Dutch leather "wallpaper." |
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The Dutch were allowed into the port of Nagasaki during the Edo period and they recycled their beautiful 17th century leather wall covering by selling it to the Japanese -who repurposed this fine leather for gentlemen's "purses." Kimonos don't have pockets, therefore men carried pocket substitutes suspended from their obi. To me, the cord does not appear to be worn at all. Besides, the abrasive flat hole of the Chinese cloisonné bead would have abraided the cord -causing it to tear apart with daily usage. Part of the function of the Ojime bead is to prevent the cord from wearing; therefore the lip of the perforation should be smooth. All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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