Okimono or small sculpture in the form of a modernist squirrel, nose raised to the breeze. Of hammered silver-bronze, the eyes inlaid in shakudo and the markings inlaid in shakudo and yellow bronze. Signed on the reverse with a cold-chiseled signature by the artist: Hideharu Saku or Made by Hideharu (Kobayashi Hideharu, the go or art name of Kobayashi Eishun, active mid 20th century). Showa 31 or 1956.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Gin Risu Okimono or Silver Squirrel Sculpture and signed: Hideharu Saku or Made by Hideharu, and sealed; and on the reverse of the lid: Osaka Shobido, & sealed.

Shobido was an Osaka shop dealing in metalwork, jewelry, clocks, and flower vases. As with the Yamaguchi Tankin Kabushiki Gaisha, Shobido commissioned high quality work from leading artists. In this case, we believe Shobido purchased this squirrel sculpture from the artist following the exhibition, commissioning the box and arranging for the artist to title and sign the lid.

This squirrel sculpture was made for the 12th Nitten national exhibition in 1956 and it is illustrated in the Nittenshi.