Interesting carving of a fat toad sitting on the back of a water buffalo. Both animals are associated with transformed ‘yôkai’ which are supernatural beings in Japanese folklore. The carving of the animals is expertly done and the ivory has been stained light brown. The eyes of both the ox and the toad are inlaid with a black material. The object is signed with the name Guang Yu (光玉). Length 5.4 cm. Width 3.0 cm. Height 3.5 cm.