Small Asian Copper Goddess Icon, Signed?

~3¼" tall, 63 grams. What looks like a signature may be her name...or something else. The characters are reminiscent of Chinese...but I wouldn't bet on that. Her right hand, draped in a sash, is palm outward. Her left arm cradles what may be an infant held by the legs. She stands in what looks like a Lotus blossom. This came with the 'toothpick' posted a few minutes ago in Porcelain. A translation would be great...Thanks!

 

Interesting little casting. I think it may be Japanese, and represents Kannon (Chinese Guanyin) in her form of Jibo Kannon (loving mother).

 

Lovely statue, I would have picked it up too.

I agree, it is Kannon, but I think it could be Kannon Sho, with a lotus bud in her/his hand.
Bad quality photo, from a dead link, but this Kannon Sho is by the amazing Japanese sculptor Takamura Koun, known for his tranquil beauties:

 

Spot on! Great job, an' Thanks, AJ!
Now all I wish for is a translation. The day is young...

 

Maybe it was a souvenir from a shrine, and it is the name of the shrine? Japan used to make beautiful souvenirs in times past.

 

I can't work out the middle character but the other two are 瑞?作

 

Google Translate allows Ruì zuò for those two characters, as Chinese. Thanks!