Kangyoku 寛玉 (Tachihara Noriyoshi 立原), b. 1944. Learned carving from his father, who belonged to the school originated by the distinguished artist of the Meiji era, Hojitsu Yamada. Adheres to traditional antique-netsuke guidelines in form and techniques but very innovative in design, many of his netsuke bordering on the surrealist of abstract. His specialty is animals. His designs are bold, sometimes whimsical or amusing, and exceptional in tactile quality.