Help ID Metal Cat Figure from Japan

Hi, Folks-
I hope January is treating everyone with kindness. Can anyone help to id the maker of this MCM cat figure? It's just over 8" tall and heavy. Is it bronze do you think? Perhaps someone will know the impressed mark which appears on the side above the tail. The applied patina is beautiful IMO. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

 

Could it be gilt iron?

 

You may have something there, wlwhittier. It's heavy, as noted, and strongly attracted to a magnet. Sure hope we can get a better idea with a translation of the characters in the mark.

 

If no-one here can parse it, try:
https://asianart.com/phpforum/index.php
Good luck!

 

Seems like a great source. I'll try there and report back.

 

There's something about that mark that reminds me of Korean characters...maybe?
I sure DO like that cat!

 

We agree, a very cool cat. Posted a query on the Asian antiques board mentioned above. Will post here if I get a response.

 

A single reply, as yet, from the Asian Antiques Board offers "At a glance it looks like a Japanese doorstep statue from the 1960's-70's although the apocryphal Wanli (title of reign 1573-1620) mark on the side suggests that it is Chinese."