By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Hoshunsai Masayuki with kakihanJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of 19th centuryThe takarabukuro brilliantly hollowed out to show the lucky god Hotei seated inside reading a sutra scroll, his plump face well detailed with almond-shaped eyes below gently arched eyebrows, full lips forming a benevolent smile, and large, thick earlobes. Behind him, a young boy with folded arms leans out of an opening in the sack as if it were a window. The underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi and the signature HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI with the artist’s kakihan.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, few tiny nicks.Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related netsuke, lacking the boy, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 268 (sold for 4,045 EUR).