Kokei - wood netsuke of a tiger
Kuwana, Ise Province, circa 1820
A wood netsuke of a distinctly displeased tiger, seated with one forepaw leading, ready for action. Its head juts forward from its short neck, the small ears flattened and the eyes narrowed suspiciously. The long tails flickers up to its shoulders, twitching in irritation. Its coat is densely striped and the cartoonish plump paws have strong irregularly hewn pads that emphasise their rough surface.
