Vintage Japanese Signed Handcarved Inkan Marble Name Stamp With Shishi Foo Dog

This is a vintage Japanese early Showa Era (c. 1930) marble or hard igneous stone name stamp known as an inkan. In Japan and China one does not sign, but rather stamp one's name with a chop or inkan like this one. This inkan has a hand carved foo-dog on top with a name carved on its flat bottom AND an a rare artist's signature etched into the stone (see pictures 6 & 9). The foo-dog carving is very well done (see close-up pictures).

The foo-dog was a mythological creature, half dog and half lion, with the spunk of both. It was a friend of mankind and guardian of the spirit world.

This over a half century old inkan stamp measures 2" tall by 3/8" square (5 x 0.8 cm). Having been stored away for half a century, this stamp remains in excellent condition.