A fine late Edo period Netsuke with a wonderful story .
This is an old experienced sarumawashi(monkey trainer) with two Saru(monkeys).
The one on his back(the trained one) sits nonchalantly eating something while
the poor chap being restrained by a rope(the untrained one) caries his belongings
and does not look too happy- a tug on the rope has lifted him off his feet!! He also seems to have a black eye!
All this in just 2 1/2"