A sumptuous netsuke carved from dense ivory, highly hued in a golden cream tone. The Japanese god Hotei is the progenitor of well being and good fortune. Hotei’s belly is full and casually expansive in compliment to his smile and expressive laughing eyes. He reclines on a sack full of bountiful treasure. Draped on his left shoulder is an adorable karako, with tonsured head, a sweet smile and finely rendered half-moon eyebrows.

This seemingly obvious composition is far subtler than it first appears. Originated from a sumi ink painting, the netsuke illustrates the moment when Hotei and boy were amused at the aggression of two fighting crickets. The superb artistry of this netsuke is rooted in its Zen approach. Within the sculptural simplicity, we find an equanimity of line, each stroke intentional with purpose. The netsuke displays a remarkably unctuous surface, and is modeled in soft planes of round edges. The smile of the Happy Buddha is mixed with a hint of bewilderment at these anguished creatures. The wit and wisdom of this netsuke succeeds in conveying the sublime within two tiny figures, and bears witness to the extraordinary revealed in the art of Japanese netsuke.