Turning Japanese

Netsuke, are small carvings, they originate from 17th century Japan, though I don't think this fella is quite as old.

Beautifully detailed and very tactile but you'll have to take my word for it.

The National Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh, has quite a collection of them* and they are worthy of a visit, as is the recently refurbished museum itself.

* I didn't pinch it, honest! :)