A netsuke combining elements of folklore, religion, and humour into a single carving. Daruma, the Japanese representation of Bodhidharma, is the monk who founded Zen Buddhism. He is traditionally depicted as a stern, intensely serious figure, well known for meditating for nine years until his limbs withered away. In this scene, the carver is possibly poking fun at Daruma’s legendary severity by placing him in an absurd, mythical scenario in which he disrupts a drinking session between two sea creatures. The octopus has been said to represent overindulgence, a creature known in Japanese art for its slippery, chaotic, and sometimes hedonistic nature. The mermaid acts as the tempting host, pouring rice wine. Daruma is shown scolding the mermaid for encouraging the octopus to drink. The humour relies on the contrast between the grim Zen master trying to enforce moral discipline and the ridiculous sea creatures ignoring his rules. The piece seems to mock the strictness of religious authorities by suggesting that Daruma is so obsessed with correcting bad behaviour that he would even lecture mythical creatures at the bottom of the ocean.