Japan evolved in many unique ways during the isolationist Edo Period. Trade restrictions helped to limit access to the rest of the world.

Sumptuary laws were imposed, preventing usage of Western style jewelry; rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces were not allowed. -Have you noticed there are no antique jewelry examples?- But useful accessories to clothing were allowed ; so instead, the wealthy merchant class was able to show off their wealth and good taste by wearing functional pieces such as obidome, kansashi, netsuke, inro, and ojime.