AN IVORY RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE

The takaramono are treasures mostly associated with the Seven Gods of Luck, which form the cargo of the takarabune [treasure ship] and the contents of Hotei's sack. In addition to the attributes of the Gods, such as Hotei's sack, Fukurokuju's handscroll, Jurojin's staff and hat and treasures such as a shippo form, a clove and a key, the group also includes a branch of coral in a pot, a biwa [lute] and a flaming tama [sacred pearl]. A half-open scroll in the base bears an inscription, intended to look like the text of the handscroll, but may well be the signature Kogetsusi, with a kao in the form of the kanji masa. Kogetsusai's other name is Naomasa. He was a pupil of Kogetsusai Naomitsu and worked in the Edo manju-makers' style of Hojitsu and Jugyoku.