A silver and shibuichi katashi-menuki
By Kano Natsuo (1828-1898), 19th century
In the form of a rat climbing over the handle of Daikoku’s mallet, its one visible eye inlaid with shakudo, signed Natsu; with storage box.
3.5cm (1 3/8in). (2).
FOOTNOTES
片し目貫　打出の小槌に鼠（大國主）　銘「夏」　19世紀

The reverse of the lid of the wood storage box bears a hakogaki attributing the work to Natsuo, by Kano Akio in 1921, the third son of Kano Natsuo, who died in 1950.