An ivory katabori-type netsuke depicting a taru maker and his apprentice. In his right hand, he holds a large mallet which he uses to drive in the rope girdling the planks of the barrel, while his young apprentice adjusts the planks with a scraper. Behind them, you can see a planer and a group of planks attached by a cord. The hollow barrel at each end serves as a natural himotoshi. A cursive signature in black is engraved under the Gyokusai? apprentice's board. Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912). H. 3 cm; weight 15 g