Frog Netsuke

[Vermithrax16]

This Christmas a friend found for me an unexpected gift; a frog netsuke. He also found a rabbit one last year, so I guess he's the best friend ever. The wife got me a wallet

 

I know zero about netsuke, but love them. Any ideas on the mei on bottom? I really can't make anything of it.

 

 

 

[PietroParis]

The mei reads 玉山 Gyokuzan. Both carvings appear to be modern and probably not made in Japan. The frog looks more like an ojime than a netsuke.

 

P.S. if you are interested in learning more about netsuke, you might start with this free book from the MET.

[Vermithrax16]

Thanks Pietro.

[Bugyotsuji]

Sweet objects, but I have to agree with Pietro on these. You might as well find a way of using them, (add to your car keys, hang from your belt, etc.) as that is what they were originally designed for way back when. Funnily enough I have an original example of a frog on a half walnut which I once showed on the International Netsuke website. 

[Vermithrax16]

Thanks Piers.

My friend is not nihonto rounded at all, so I enjoy them for the gifts they are.

[Brian]

They are incredibly cute and make such a nice pair, modern or not. Love them.