Kano Tessai (1845-1925)A carved bamboo kiseruzutsu (pipe case)Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th centuryThe pipe by Mitsunaga, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryThe light-colored bamboo carved in standard elongated ovoid form, the exterior half incised with a poetic inscription by the artist above a polychrome tinted assembly of Hotei, Ebisu, Daikoku, Jurojin and Fukurokuju, while Benzaiten cowers from a menacing Bishamonten on the interior sleeve, with an inscribed storage box signed Tessai sei (Made by Tessai) with a kao; enclosing the thin bamboo pipe mounted in a shakudo and katakiri-bori bowl and mouthpiece decorated with magpies and leafy plants, signed Nagamitsu kizamu (Carved by Nagamitsu) 8 5/8in (22cm) length of case