根付

Japanese

根付 (netsuke): a netsuke.

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
根	付
ね Grade: 3	つ(け) Grade: 4
kun’yomi

Compound of 根 (ne, “root, base”) +‎ 付け (tsuke, “attachment, attacher”), the 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of verb 付ける (tsukeru, “to attach”, transitive), from the way the netsuke was attached to the end of the drawstring of a coin purse or pouch to prevent the drawstring from slipping through one's 帯 (obi, “sash, belt”).

See the 提げ物 (sagemono) entry for an illustration of how netsuke were used.

Alternative forms

• 根付け

Noun

根(ね)付(つけ) • (netsuke) 

1. a netsuke: miniature sculptures that serve as a fastener for a sagemono (a pouch, like a coin purse, tobacco pouch, or pillbox).

Coordinate terms

• 着物(きもの) (kimono)
• 帯(おび) (obi)
• 提(さ)げ物(もの) (sagemono)
• 印籠(いんろう) (inrō)

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
根	付
ね Grade: 3	つ(き) Grade: 4
kun’yomi

Compound of 根 (ne, “root, base”) +‎ 付き (tsuki, “attaching”), the 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of verb 付く (tsuku, “to attach”, intransitive).

Alternative forms

• 根付き

Noun

根(ね)付(つき) • (netsuki) 

1. rooting
2. a rooted plant
3. short for 根付き魚 (netsuki uo): a non-migratory fish that lives among the roots of seaweed or coral