Please help identify this Japanese man figurine

[lovetoteach53]

Please help me identify this Japanese man (10" tall X 4" wide).  He is very well made and I can't tell whether he is a candle  or incense holder or perhaps he has another use.  I have searched ebay and the web and cannot find another like him.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

[maxine*j]

Beats me, but it's intriguing.  The hat and the round eyes almost seem like some of the early depictions of "Englishmen." 

[gone_4_good]

Looks like a modern for tourist tchotchke to me

[maxine*j]

Oh, it's definitely modern -- the sticker makes that obvious -- but what the heck do you think this person and the strange ghost-like creature represent?  Beats heck out of me.

[lovetoteach53]

Thank you for the replies.  I too wondered about the ghost like creature between his legs.   Japanese items can be very symbolic - I'm hoping someone will know what he represents.  Thanks,  Anne

[lovetoteach53]

Thank you for the replies.  I too wondered about the ghost like creature between his legs.   Japanese items can be very symbolic - I'm hoping someone will know what he represents.  Thanks,  Anne

[gone_4_good]

I think its a foo dog without a lot of detail

[argon38]

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@lovetoteach53 wrote:

Thank you for the replies.  I too wondered about the ghost like creature between his legs.   Japanese items can be very symbolic - I'm hoping someone will know what he represents.  Thanks,  Anne

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When in doubt, just say it symbolises good luck and prosperity...

[telias1001]

It is like a Buda symbol for making offerings.  Sometines its a crumb of bread, sometimes a few grains of rice.  Usually a daily offering before consuming evening family meal.