Japanese ivory okimono - Shamisen player - 19th century

Japanese "okimono" are little decorative sculptures made of wood, metal or ivory, as is the case here. These exhibits became very popular during the Meiji period, at the end of the 19th century, when western collectors showed a big interest in them. This okimono represents a musician playing the "shemisen", one of the most famous japanese lute, made with three strings and the body of cat or dog skin, which is still used both for theatre music and folk songs, as we see in this statue. The player holds a "bachi" in his right had, the pick used to play; at his feet a frog, symbol of good luck in the Japanese tradition, is jumping. At the bottom of this joyful sculpture there is a red laquer seal with the signature of the very capable artist.