Netsuke of The Daoist Immortal, Gama Sennin with Frog 19th century

This small netsuke, carved by Toyomasa, depicts Gama Sennin, a Daoist immortal, with his signature companion: a frog. Sennin are hermits, often associated with great wisdom and supernatural powers, and they are represented with their animal companions. The frog here is no mere amphibian; it’s a symbol, a visual echo resonating through centuries. Frogs in East Asian traditions are often associated with healing, wealth, and longevity, a far cry from the creatures of ill omen they can be in the West. Look at the sennin’s expression, caught between agony and ecstasy, a primal scream that transcends time. This reminds me of Laocoön's suffering. The pairing of man and animal creates a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, a symbol that has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.