A small boar-tusk netsuke with a minogameBy Ichimitei, probably Iwami Province, early 19th century
Carved in relief with a minogame walking with its hairy tail trail trailing above ferns in swirling water, delicately engraved in kebori, the reverse engraved with waka poems; signed Naniwa Ichimitei with a kao (Ichimitei of Naniwa [an alternative name for Osaka]). 8.9cm (3½in).注脚猪牙彫根付　蓑亀　銘 「浪花一味亭（花押）」　19世紀前期

Provenance:
Anne Hull Grundy Collection.

Published:
Earle, Huthart, p.387, no.361.

Although the signature indicates that the work was produced in Osaka, both the material and subject matter justify its inclusion in the Iwami school of carvers.