Kozuka with the Chinese Immortal Gama

Description The man shown leaning on his walking stick is the Chinese immortal Gama. At the bottom is a three-legged frog. Gama's spirit was able to leave his body to wander and once returned to find the body unfit to re-inhabit. He put his spirit into the nearest creature, which was a frog. This kozuka still has its blade, which is signed.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 河内守国助; [Translation] Kawachinokami Kunisuke; [Date] unread on blade; [Translation] 1624 (?) 1658 (?) 1661(?)

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters