An exceptionally fine Japanese Meiji period carved ivory figure of a seated Samurai warrior in full formal dress with Tanto (short sword) to his belt, the finest carved detail to all aspects, he sits cross legged upon an ebonised carved stand with bamboo type frame which supports three separate objects including his long katana sword, finely woven helmet and side table, all of carved ivory, the figure signed 'Mitsukazu' to the reverse in characters, the stand labelled to the base 'this carving is from 'The Hodgson Collection' and is numbered 4692 in the catalogue of (the) same and has the following description:- 'Carved ivory figure of Masatsune writing a farewell letter before attempting suicide which was frustrated by his wise mother, long sword rests on the table before him'. Signed 'Mitsukazu'. Height of figure 13.7 cm. Provenance: Ex. the estate collection of H.G.Wells' only daughter, Anna Jane Kennard, who died at age 100 years (31/12/1909 - 26/10/2010) in New Plymouth. She was the illegitimate daughter of H.G. Wells and Amber Reeves (the daughter of The Hon. William Pember Reeves, N.Z. statesman, historian and poet)