A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE MEIJI 1868-1912 Carved as a man slaying a dragon

A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE

MEIJI 1868-1912

Carved as a man slaying a dragon, possibly Susanoo and the Yamata no Orochi, the hero thrusting his sword into the mythical beast's mouth while grabbing its right ear, the fabric tied around his waist with four-petal flower mon, some details picked out in black and red ink, signed Ikkosai to the back for Ikkosai Toun, 4.3cm.

The Yamata no Orochi is a mythical creature with the body of a gigantic serpent, seven heads and seven tails. According to the legend, it was slain by the Shinto God of the Sea Susanoo.