AN IVORY NETSUKE OF CHICKENS, WAR DRUM AND RABBIT …AN IVORY NETSUKE OF CHICKENS, WAR DRUM AND RABBIT BY KOGYOKUSAIBy Kogyokusai, ivory netsuke with horn inlay Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)The composition set on a rock showing a war drum with a cockerel, hen and two chicks, one of them amusingly bursting through the skin of the drum. The sides of the drum are inlaid with rows of horn buttons. The scene symbolizes peace and contentment, as legend says that a war drum was lying around for so long (during unusually peaceful times of the Edo period) that hens and roosters began to live in it. Next to the drum is a little rabbit, with inlaid eyes of bright orange coral. Signature KOGYOKUSAI 光玉齋 in a wavy reserve on the underside of the rabbit. The artist was a student of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu after he (or one of his students) opened a school in Tokyo. The stylistic influences of the master are evident in this piece. Natural himotoshi possible through the many holes in the rock.HEIGHT 3.8 cmProvenance: British private collection.Condition: Good condition, the ivory slightly worn.