Similar wood figures signed Masakazu are illustrated in the Hindson Collection catalogue, nos. 722 and 723 with a note describing Uzume (Okame) stretching and yawning in parody of Daruma stretching after the end of his nine year meditation. Mr. Bushell suggests that the netsuke alludes to Uzume patiently awaiting the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, to emerge from her cave to bring light to the world. Her patience was like that of Daruma in his lengthy meditation. Finally, her patience exhausted, Uzume performed an erotic dance which aroused Amaterasu's curiosity and brought the Goddess out of her cave.