Item Description A stylised zodiac figure of a dog (Year of the Dog, eto) by 三枝惣太郎 Saegusa Sotaro (1911-2006), made in the Takaoka copper ware tradition. The dog is cast as a simplified, rounded form with a raised head, pointed ears and a ball-shaped curled tail. The surface has a mottled green patina with golden-toned highlights. It stands on a black rectangular base, next to a small wooden plaque inscribed "Hanei" (prosperity) and signed Sotaro with a red seal. An impressed mark is visible on one hind leg. Zodiac figures like this are traditionally given as auspicious pieces. A charming Japanese zodiac figurine of the Rat (Ne), part of the "Hanei" (繁栄, "Prosperity") series by the noted sculptor Saegusa Sōtarō, cast in the traditional bronze-casting technique of Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture — Japan's historic center of metal-casting craftsmanship. Rather than depicting the animal naturalistically, Saegusa renders the rat as a bold, rounded, almost abstract sculptural form, with only the ears, nose, and small round eye suggested through gentle modeling. The surface is finished in a richly textured verdigris-green patina, brushed with warm gilt (gold-tone) highlighting that catches the light across the raised contours — a signature finish of this artist's popular zodiac series. The figurine is presented on its original black lacquer-style display base, accompanied by a wooden nameplate inscribed in ink with the title "繁栄" (Hanei) and the artist's signature, together with his red seal. A delightful, tactile piece of Japanese bronze sculpture, ideal for collectors of zodiac art or Takaoka metalwork. Size Height: 8 cm Width: 4 cm Depth: 7 cm Weight 214 g / 0.214 kg Size Height: 12 cm Width: 12 cm Depth: 5 cm Weight 907 g Artist Profile Saegusa Sotaro (1911-2006) was a Japanese sculptor and metal artist, born on Shodoshima island in Kagawa Prefecture. He studied metalworking at the Kagawa Prefectural School of Industrial Arts, then sculpture at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts under teachers including Asakura Fumio and Kitamura Seibo. He was first accepted at the Imperial Fine Arts Exhibition (Teiten) in 1934 while still a student. His graduation work won the Ohashi Prize and was acquired by the Ministry of Education. He later exhibited at the Nitten and was awarded the Konju Hosho (Dark Blue Ribbon Medal). He taught at Nagoya University of the Arts until retirement. His zodiac figure series in the Takaoka copper ware tradition spans more than fifty years and is widely collected. Condition Long-term storage piece with visible signs of age. There is light rubbing and wear to the patina, and small areas of paint loss at the edges of the ears and head, as shown in the photographs. Additional Information Maker: Saegusa Sotaro Craft tradition: Takaoka copper ware (Takaoka dōki), Japan Subject: Zodiac (eto) dog, plaque titled "Hanei" (prosperity) Technique and finish: Cast metal with a green patina finish Included: Figure, black base and wooden plaque The item will be carefully packaged and shipped by Japan Post or DHL, depending on the situation. Due to the changes to the EU tax-free (VAT) system, Japan Post has become unable to ship certain goods valued at €150 or less to an increasing number of European countries. Depending on the destination and circumstances, the shipping method may therefore be changed from Japan Post to DHL. Delivery normally takes approximately 3 weeks, or up to 3 months if the item is shipped by sea. Please note that import duties, taxes, customs fees, and other charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. For customs clearance, your local customs office or delivery company may contact you by phone or email. To avoid any delays or the return of the parcel, please ensure that you can respond promptly to any such requests. If the parcel is returned due to an inability to contact you or complete customs clearance, additional shipping charges, which may be more than twice the original shipping cost, will apply for reshipment. Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation. We will do our utmost to ensure that your item arrives safely and without any issues.