Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds Andersen Design Studio if only I could read

if only I could read Japanese

with one noticeable ding (indent) along the corner edge of one face and a bit of tearing at the corners of the lid

each with a Janus-like pair of faces

2 3/4" in diameter x 2 1/4" tall

It is in very good overall condition

Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds Andersen Design Studio if only I could readThe world of Japanese Netsuke is incredibly complex (and incredible!), and I am no expert; I bought this piece, as I often do, as impetus to do some learning. I just love the form of these two facing perched birds, joined at the tips of their beaks and feet, with the arcs of their necks almost forming a heart and the negative space between the feet and the base rather like a keyhole. I'm pretty certain this is a 20th century piece made for the tourist