Netsuke of The Daoist Immortal, Gama Sennin with Frog
19th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
H. 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Classification
Netsuke
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
Accession Number
10.211.1894
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this exquisite wooden netsuke, carved by the skilled 19th-century Japanese artist Toyomasa, depicts Gama Sennin, the legendary Daoist immortal known as the Toad Sage. Standing just 2 inches (5.1 cm) tall, the sculpture captures Gama Sennin cradling a frog, a nod to his mythical association with toads, which symbolize longevity, transformation, and magical elixirs of immortality in Daoist lore. Dating to the late Edo period (1615–1868) or early Meiji era (1868–1912), it reflects Japan's vibrant fusion of indigenous craftsmanship ...