A symbolic netsuke, the kirin augurs a great event or an important occasion, the pomegranate a wish for numerous sons. The netsuke would have been a appropriate present to a couple expecting their first child.

Ueda Rikichi lists five carvers using the name Ikkosai, three of whom used identical characters in their names. The style, subject matter and treatment suggests the earliest Ikkosai as the carver of this model.