Statuette of an ox; A statuette in black stone of a lying ox (nadeushi) on a pile of pillows on two boxes. Large and small silver coins lie on the floor; the large coins indicate the long months of the ox's new year; the small coins the short months. Merchants often had a statue of an ox as a talisman. By stroking it daily; they hoped for the fulfillment of their wishes. When this actually happened; an extra pillow was placed under the statue. With four poems; ox; Ry鹯y鹝yo Shinsai (mentioned on object); Japan; 1817; paper; colour woodcut; h 207 mm x w 176 mm