Ivory 34 x 46 x 22 mm, Tenmin, mid 19th century.

An adult owl, perched on a bough wreathed in ivy (tsuta) is flanked by two owlets. These are movable and peep from hollow holes at either end of the branch. There may be intended a degree of comic villainy in the owlets' bald heads popping up and down from their hiding places. The ivy grows across the back of the netsuke and up the back of the owl. The motif is interpreted as symbolising loneliness on an autumn night.

In Japan the owl (fukurô) symbolises ingratitude since it is thought that young owls devour their own mothers. However, the owl is also regarded as a good omen, because the first two syllables fuku are a homonym of the word for good fortune.