A small gem-like antique Bizen-yaki okimono of Ebisu. Delightfully realized with precision skill, his exuberant character and joyous countenance imbued with the look of wisdom and serenity in a smiling face that brought the God of Luck to life. This playful god is a patron of seafaring and wealth, the bestower of abundance overflowing with the staples of life symbolized in the large carp under his arm. He is one of the Shichifukujin 七福神. He became affiliated with Daikokuten. They are the most popular of the Seven Gods of Fortune and venerated in almost every Japanese home. The design concept and the technical mastery of the figure are presented in the simplicity of forms. The bizen yaki has an iron-like hardness, with natural gradual tones on the silken surface resulting from high temperature firing in a kiln for weeks. It's signed Bizen 備前 on the backside, in excellent condition.