Pale Wood Kiseruzutsu depicting Hotei

Of muso-zutsu type, finely carved in shishiaibori (sunken relief) with Hotei sitting on his treasure bag, wearing a voluminous robe, the deity carved with a joyous expression, wide smile, finely incised beard, and crinkled eyes. The rim with the cord attachment in the form of an eyelet. Signed to the back TETSUGAI to [carved by Tetsugai]. The pale wood is of an attractive grain and is finely polished. Ito Tetsugai was a pupil of Ito Tesseki (active c. 1910-1920), who studied under Kano Tessai (1845-1925), Nara, all three artists’ sharing the same character Tetsu 銕 (鉄) demonstrating their artistic lineage.