- Very Fine Quality
- Boxwood with lacquer and beautiful patina
- Antique, Edo Period (1603-1868)
- Unsigned
- Superb detailing throughout
- Netsuke is a fastener used to hang an inro (small hard case), yatate (small personal smoking-pipe), a drawstring purse (a small leather bag) with money, food, writing utensils, medicine, cigarettes and other haberdashery from the obi.
- 5.0 cm in height, about 3.7 cm in diameter
- Of a happy, satisfied, chubby woman with a charming Smile... a "Okame"
- Okame is a happy satisfied woman...often depicted with a cat.
- Okame, also known as Uzume or Otafuku is the name for the female counterpart of a traditional Japanese Kyogen theater pair.
- She is considered to be the goddess of mirth and is frequently seen in Japanese art.
- Her full cheeks and merry eyes are an unforgettable sight and a delight to behold.
- Some Japanese scholars theorize that long ago, when the first Okame masks were created, they may have represented an idealized form of feminine beauty.
- Styles and tastes are subject to change, and the ancient Japanese might be surprised to learn that the name Okame is today sometimes used as a less-than-appreciated joking taunt by Japanese husbands.
- In contrast, a famous and contemporary Japanese Kyogen actor once commented that the countenance of Okame is what every man hopes his bride will look like on his wedding night...