KIYOMITSU: A WOOD NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU’S MALLET OVERRUN BY RATS By Kiyomitsu, signed Kiyomitsu 清光
Japan, 19^th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Well carved as Daikoku’s mallet, neatly incised with simulated wood grain, diaper pattern, and a scroll design. Four small rats with eyes inlaid in dark horn and finely incised fur are crawling over the hammer. The handle with a single himotoshi below the signature KIYOMITSU.

LENGTH 4.6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

Literature comparison:
A closely related netsuke, signed with a kakihan, is illustrated in Joly, H. L. (1966) Catalogue of the H. Seymour Trower Collection of Japanese Art, pl. VII, no. 226, and also illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 429.