Netsuke, ivory. Japan, 19th cent.
Extraordinarily detailed work by an artist known for his ingenuity. The god of prosperity Daikoku is kneeling, laughing contentedly and has two bales of rice laying in front of him. On them – a delicate miniature work! – a rat, his animal symbol (where there are rats, there is rice, hence, also prosperity). This rat is wearting a cape and – punchline! – swinging the deity’s “hammer of luck”, his primary attribute. Natural himotoshi, the signature NAO-KAZU is in an oval bordered reserve below Daikoku’s knee.
LENGTH 4,6 CM
From a Munich private collection