Antique Japanese Ivory Netsuke
Okame
Goddess of Mirth
Signature: Hogyoku, Circa: 19th century
H 1.6 in.(4cm), W 1 in.(2.25cm), D 0.75 in.(2cm)
Condition: excellent!

This is a delightful rendition of the Shinto Goddess of Mirth, Okame. Also known as Otafuku, she represents a lovely, always smiling young Japanese woman who brings happiness and good fortune to any man she marries.

This small 19th century ivory netsuke is rendered with a fine eye for detail. The patterns on the cloth of her kimono and obi are multi-layered giving the sense of traditional katazome, the stencil dyeing process, where intricate patterns are precisely painted onto fabric. Okame"s abundant hair is loosely pulled back and nearly reaches her feet. The layers of her kimono and the soles of her bare feet are ingeniously rendered on the bottom of the figure. Okame's traditionally round face plays on the edge of laughter and she teases the hem of her kimono as though she will surprise us with one of her notorious dances of mirth. The unrecorded artist signature is on the back bottom left side. (SD)