Vintage Japanese Hand-Carved Wood Carp Inro

An intricate and artistically-carved Japanese Inro of a leaping carp that is a classic symbol of longevity and prosperity.
 
A light-colored hard wood has been hand carved in the shape of a leaping carp. The carp is an inro with a top lid and a bottom receptacle. There is a string with an ojime bead and a netsuke button for carrying. 
 
The inro can stand upright on the front fins for display. 
 
There is a Japanese two-character signature of the artist under the fish’s mouth.
 
An inro is a small, decorative case that was regularly worn by Japanese men and women until into the 20th C. It was worn at the waist of a kimono to carry small items like medicine or seals. Inro were attached to the kimono sash with a silk cord and secured with a netsuke. Inros were often very beautifully carved or decorated out of materials believed to possess magical and medicinal properties, or be significant to the wearer. 
 
MEASUREMENTS
 
Body is 4 5/8 in (11.7 cm) long. 
Entire Inro – 11 ½ in (29.2 cm) long. 
Weighs 2.4 oz (70 g)
 
CONDITION
 
There are no breaks, chips, cracks, or repairs. The wood netsuke has a crack. The cord shows a little wear but is still perfectly functional.
 
A Japanese work of art by a skilled artisan. I love the image of the leaping carp.