Hotei

This is a netsuke of the god of prosperity. What a flat head. For those that don't know, a netsuke is a Japanese carving in (usually) mammoth ivory (these days) but they can also be made of any carve-able material. They are not just decorations (though they are these days) as originally they were a sort of draw cord buckle thing that men used to pull their pouches closed. For this reason, they are also quite small.

I spotted a whole lot of them at the V&A at lunchtime and this chap looked so happy, he just begged to be blipped. How could I refuse? Look at it large to check out the amazing detail.