SHISHI AND BALL ASCRIBED TO TOMOTADA

A large shishi is seated and shown resting all its paws protectively on a sacred ball (tama), which is engraved with geometrical motifs, its head is turned to the right, snarling, revealing the loose ball in its open mouth.   

Both the shishi and the tama have strong Buddhist associations.  The Bodhisattva Monju rides on a shishi and the tama is often found in the decoration of Buddhist buildings and artefacts.

Tomotada is believed to have engraved his signature in a rectangular, rather than an oval reserve. The present example shows strong affinities with the work of Mitsuharu, who was also working in Kyoto during the life time of Tomotada.