A PAIR OF FULLY ARTICULATED JIZAI OKIMONO DEPICTING EBI (SPINY LOBSTER) BY HIROYOSHICopperJapan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)The ten legs, four antennae, multi-sectioned tail, as well as the mandibles are fully articulated and movable on both crustaceans. When brushing over the extremities they make a sound that is eerily reminiscent of the crawling of their real-life counterparts. The entire carapace is covered with little spikes identifying these crustaceans as spiny lobsters, also known as ebi in Japan. Signature HIROYOSHI on the undersideShape: FiguralDimensions: Largest 27.5 cm length, Smallest 20 cm length (both including antennae)Condition: Very good complete conditionProvenance: American private collectionAuction result comparison: Another model of a spiny lobster by Hiroyoshi (erroneously described as crayfish) was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, New York, 19 March 2014, lot 3295