made in Japan
This netsuke made of ivory is of two buddhist temple guardians in a arm wrestling contest. A netsuke is used to fasten an inro, a small lacquered container, which hung from the sash of a man's kimono. They became miniature art forms in their own right.
In this netsuke two Buddhist temple guardians kneel facing one another and looking to opposite sides with their right arms bent in an arm wrestling contest. One has his mouth open and the other his mouth closed in a typical representation of Yin and Yang.
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