Netsuke, mammoth, gold
Also this work is compact and executed with fine humor. The fox kitsune, in Japan it is also a magical creature possessed by demonic spirits, at the same time worshipped as the rice deity Inari! In this depiction it is veiled, the cap like a cave from which it is staring resp. focused on something/someone. It is resting on a scroll where the character Ko 幸 meaning "luck" is visible. Bushy tail of the fox, kiku blossoms on his clothing. Very well formed himotoshi on the back, little signature beneath. Includes a lovely box.
WIDTH 3,7 CM
A very similar work in the publication mentioned in the preface on page 30, a standing fox monk in the same style on page 41