By Muneyuki, signed Muneyuki Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)
The immortal deftly carved and finely stained, standing on a flat oval base incised with leaf decorations, wearing his characteristic leaf skirt over a long flowing robe opening at the chest and neatly incised with foliate patterns, one of his feet is raised as he is about to step on a toad, an empty scroll between the toad and his other foot. In one of his hands he is holding two small toads that are wrestling, while in his other hand he is holding the front leg of a giant toad on top his head, a smaller toad with a lotus leaf inset on top of the larger toad. Signed MUNEYUKI to the base.
Gama Sennin was one of the three Daoist Immortals, who were also known as shape shifters, travelling through time and the elements, obeying the Dao universal laws, not human laws. Gama sennin was known to be a master of inner alchemy and is sometimes included with the Eight Immortals of Dao. His toad was considered a spirit animal, which many immortals had as companions, representing longevity and wealth.
HEIGHT 21.3 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear. Provenance: British collection.