Netsuke toggles were created originally for the practical uses for hanging pouches, small crafted boxes or small woven baskets for being able to carry along small personal items, and were worn around the waist. Boxwood and several other hard woods are another very popular material used, but materials of boar tusk, hippopotamus teeth, rhinoceros horns also carve very well for the small detailed Netsuke. For accent to Netsuke, precious metals are sometimes used for various accents upon the Netsuke item.

Netsuke is a functioning item of beauty that began around the 17th century. Created by the highly artistic Japanese for practical uses, but also being a very unique miniature sculpture of expression or of story telling type of art at the same time. It is this combination that has carried the art of Netsuke throughout many centuries on into the art world of today. The true originally translated definition of Netsuke is "root" and "to suspend or hang". The very first Netsuke were made of roots and twigs for the useful purpose of being toggles.

Since Japanese men's clothing originally had no pockets, there was a need for safely carry their personal items on themselves throughout the day. Netsuke toggles were created originally for the practical uses for hanging pouches, small crafted boxes or small woven baskets for being able to carry along small personal items, and were worn around the waist. The Japanese men found that the variations of pouches, boxes or small woven baskets with the toggle were perfect for holding their tobacco and pipes, seals, money and medicines without worries of lost items.

Originally and even today it is made from various types of materials. Elephant and mammoth ivory have been the most used materials. Boxwood and several other hard woods are another very popular material used, but materials of boar tusk, hippopotamus teeth, rhinoceros horns also carve very well for the small detailed Netsuke. More rarely used materials that work very well are horn bill ivory clay coral lacquer and woven cane, and porcelain. For accent to Netsuke, precious metals are sometimes used for various accents upon the Netsuke item.

There have always been many variations of Netsuke characters and formations, but originally stayed in the ranges of what the Japanese knew of everyday life that surrounded them within their culture. These were in the areas of people, plants, plant products, animals, nature, deities, non-living material items, mythical creatures, abstract references, and sexual content that may or may not be subtle.

Although the most productive time period for Japanese Netsuke in being produced was during the Japanese Edo period of 1615-1868, this highly detailed art is still carried out around the world today by a small amount of highly skilled artists whom specialize in Netsuke miniature items. In today's Netsuke market, there are the cheap molded reproduction models that average in price of around 30.00 dollars and then there are the 'real' intricately detailed, hand carved Netsuke items that are one of a kind collectible Netsuke. Since these are unique original Netsuke made of expensive or rare materials, they are much higher in prices and can run 10,000 dollars or more.