An ivory netsuke depicting a squirrel and grapes, unsigned, early 19th century a finely etched and detailed study of a squirrel clasping a bunch of grapes, natural himotoshi, 4 cm long. Note: this subject in Japanese is called budo ni risu - meaning grapes and squirrel. However with different Chinese characters of the same phonetics - budo ni risu means success or victory in the way of the warrior. In both size and symbolism, this netsuke is particularly suited to an inro (seal pouch) worn by a samurai