Jigaku - Mouse hunter
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Boxwood okimono depicting an open-mouthed rat hunter holding a large bowl with his feet while stirring miso with his stick, consisting of rice, fermented bean pulp and salt to attract mice. Spirited eyes in black horn. Excellent patina and classic luster of boxwood, but only identifiable in quality sculptures. Signed Jigaku within an oval reserve in ivory. During the Edo period, blind people were recruited to hunt mice in dark places after sunset, with their sensitivity and hearing they were able to hunt small rodents that went in search of rice stored in large jute bags. Provenance: G