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This ivory figure has been in our family since it was purchased in Japan in the early 1950s. But I've never been sure who the figure depicts. Is he an old scholar, a monk? He's wearing a badger loincloth and holding a scroll. I've never seen a similar figure. Any help in identifying who he is would be appreciated.

Think this could be Li TieGuai, one of the eight immortals, also known as Iron Crutch Li.

He's certainly thin enough.

After doing a search on the web, I think you're right that this is a depiction of Li Tieguai, albeit more dignified, less grotesque than some of the Chinese figures of him. I'm guessing that what he's holding isn't a scroll but some sort of container with medicine for the poor and needy. Thanks for solving this mystery for me!

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