Description: Possibly Ranichi, 18th/19th century
Finely carved in the form of a bundle of four rats, with inlaid eyes. Signed Ranichi.
H. 2.6 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, the Netherlands
Note:
In Japan, rats and mice did not symbolize filth and disease as in other parts of the world, but were related to economic prosperity and abundance. When there is lots of rice and grain, there are lots of mice and rats, which means they bring posperity and good harvest.