MUNETOMO: AN AMUSING STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF HOTEI BEING CRUSHED BY HIS BAG By Munetomo (Sochi), signed Kudo ani no tame, Munetomo to Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art (1996) Netsuke from the Teddy Hahn Collection, pp. 112f., no. 160. A relatively large and tactile, pebble-shaped netsuke depicting the lucky god Hotei shown here typically pot-bellied and exclaiming as he is crushed by his huge sack, visible in the back. The heavily porous, spongiform material is visible in the top and bottom. The backside with himotoshi and inscription Kudo ani no tame, MUNETOMO 宗知 to, which means ‘for my brother/ mentor/esquire Kudo, by Munetomo’. It could, however, also be casually translated: ‘to a jolly good fellow Mr Kudo’ – as this netsuke has a possible hidden Shunga meaning, since Hotei’s sack is sometimes referred to as Kobukuro 子袋 (meaning womb or baby sac) and could thus relate to female private parts. SIZE 5 x 5.5 x 2.2 cm Condition: Excellent condition with a fine, light hand patina and ‘natural flaws’ to the material. Provenance: Ex Teddy Hahn collection, then British private collection.