Monkey trainer c. late 19th century

"Monkey Trainer" is a late 19th-century ivory sculpture by the Japanese artist Shioda Toshichika, currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The sculpture depicts a man in traditional garb, likely a trainer, kneeling with a monkey sitting beside him, as if the monkey is being taught to perform. The detailed carving highlights the artist's skill and the popular subject of animal training in Japanese art during the Edo period. This small ivory sculpture is an example of the high level of craftsmanship found in Japanese netsuke.