This intricately carved boxwood fish is topped with a beautiful hand blown glass bead in the blue with gold bubbles  The fish was originally a small Inro box that I have fixed with the glass bead so it does not open when you are wearing it.  The wonderful hand blown glass bead has has brilliantly blue bubbles with tiny golden bubbled inside of the blue.  The fish and glass bead drop 3 1/2” from a natural leather cord that is adjustable in length from 16" to 32” so it can be worn a variety of lengths - long or close to your neck.  Although large and dramatic this pendant is not heavy as the fish is hollow and the wood is light.

The carp is considered the most auspicious of all fish and symbolizes wealth, abundance, happiness and fertility.  In China the carp is an emblem of the singleness of purpose, determination, tenacity and perseverance, reflecting the belief that the carp that is capable of conquering the rapids and waterfalls of the wild Yellow River would eventually become a dragon.   The carp also symbolizes scholastic achievement.

The inro was used as a seal container, medicine kit for carrying medicinal powders or herbs or for carrying other small treasures.  Because the Japanese and Chinese clothing lacked pockets, men carried their small personal items suspended from their sashes by toggled cords fastened by an ojime (a small bead that can be moved up and down the double cord which helps to secure the lid of the inro).  Both the inro and ojime were beautifully carved or decorated out of materials believed to possess magical and medicinal properties.  Often the design on the Inro or of the ojimi  had special significance to the wearer.

The hand blown glass bead is made by the renown glass artist, Tom Boylon.  All of his pieces are unique.