Folk Art Wooden Ebisu Carving

This is a hand-carved wooden figurine depicting Ebisu, one of the Japanese Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin). The piece is carved from a solid block of wood, likely kokeshi wood or light-grained cedar, and stands approximately 6 to 8 inches tall. The figure is characterized by its whimsical and stylized features, including a joyous expression with a prominent open mouth, mustache, and arched eyebrows painted in black. Ebisu is shown holding his traditional attributes: a large red sea bream (tai) fish and a fishing rod. The color palette consists of primary red, green, black, and gold paint applied over the natural wood grain. Notable is the faceted, unsmoothed carving style on the base and sides, which indicates it is a Japanese folk art (Mingei) piece or a regional souvenir. The condition appears to be fair to good, with some visible fading and paint chipping, particularly on the red fish and the gold-painted hat. There is a slight patina developing on the exposed wood, suggesting a mid-to-late 20th-century production. The piece lacks any visible artist signatures on the front, typical of mass-carved folk souvenirs. The overall craftsmanship is rustic, emphasizing character and tradition over fine detail.

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