Netsuke [Daikoku as a puppeteer] c. 19th century

This 19th-century netsuke by Munenari depicts Daikoku, one of the seven Japanese gods of good fortune, as a puppeteer. Carved from ivory, the sculpture showcases the meticulous detail and craftsmanship typical of this art form. Daikoku, traditionally depicted as a stout figure with a bag of treasure, is here shown manipulating a smaller figure. The netsuke, a small, three-dimensional sculpture, was traditionally used in Japan to fasten articles to a sash.