potd - Hotei Netsuke

This is a very simple, well-worn  old bone netsuke that looks like it's had a long and useful life.  He doesn't have the fine carving of some of our other netsuke  but I think that's part of his  charm. The figure is Hotei  (lit. 'cloth bag' ) who was originally a deity from Chinese folklore and is one of the Japanese seven lucky gods. He always carries a large sack and is the god of abundance and good health.  He is signed 'Ikko'.