An elegant Japanese cast bronze okimono of a swimming carp , early 20th century, Japan. The graceful fish portrayed realistically in motion, as if swimming against a current. The fish's fins pushed back, muscular body taut and straining, with its tail rippling out behind. The carp's eyes look straight forward with a focused and determined gaze. Expertly and naturalistically cast, with especially fine attention to the scales, and even the underside of the head.