SHUNGYOKU: AN UNUSUAL INLAID EBONY WOOD INLAID NETSUKE WITH TEA MERCHANT Signed Shungyoku Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) An ebony wood two-part manju, carved in the front with a smoking tea merchant carrying his wares suspended from his neck and with an inlaid parasol next to him. The pipe's smoke is amusingly depicted with bubbles inlaid. The backside shows a carved crawling infant, the signature SHUNGYOKU and central floral himotoshi. DIAMETER 4 cm Condition: Minor nicks, surface wear, discoloration. Good worn condition. Provenance: European private collection.