A wood netsuke of the Inari fox


By Shoju(sai), 19th centurySigned in an oval reserve Shojusai. 4.2cm (1 5/8in) wide.
|木彫根付　稲荷狐　銘「松寿斎」　19世紀Published: Katchen, N7, vol.2, p.201, no.K396.Seated on an openwork swirling cloud, its head turned back to the right as it protects a large tama beneath both forepaws, its bushy tail trailing beneath, the wood slightly worn with a good patina.For similar examples, signed Shoju, see Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.742, Harris, HGBM, p.33, no.139, and Hurtig, MNA, no.448.The fox is the messenger of the rice god and is associated with both Buddhism and Shintoism, and is commonly shown, as here, with the jewel of the former.