Antique sculpture of the Japanese god Ebisu. Made of bronze. Presented with original wooden box. Japan, mid-twentieth century.

Ebisu was the god of the morning sun and patron of children. Over time, this character became the deity of trade in Japan. The fish in the hands of Ebisu began to be seen as a symbolic reward for honesty in trade matters. Some netsuke depict how a smiling bearded Ebisu hugs the fish he caught with his hands. Such a figurine was associated with an old proverb that claimed that it was difficult to catch a sacred carp with bare hands in clear water.