By Gyokuoku/Tamatani, signed Gyokukoku with kakihanJapan, 19th centuryOf rectangular form with rounded corners, the roiro ground finely decorated to the slightly domed top of the cover in gold and iro-e hiramaki-e with two anthropomorphic frogs standing in a river, one holding a large fishing net, both angrily gesturing toward the bird flying above which has stolen another net, presumably already filled with fish. Note the different textures of the two frogs’ skins as well as the bird’s feathers and plumage. Further with a willow, rocks, and water trees. The box and cover with gold fundame edges, the interior and underside with nashiji. The cover signed lower right GYOKUKOKU with a red kakihan.SIZE 24.5 x 15.2 x 6 cmCondition: Good condition with some wear, minor flaking and minimal chipping to edges, the interior of the box with a minor crack in the lacquer.Provenance: Old Belgian private collection.The motif is inspired by the Choju-jinbutsu-giga scrolls from the 12th and 13th centuries. This famous set of four emakimono belonging to Kozan-ji temple in Kyoto are also referred to as Scrolls of Frolicking Animals in English and feature many antropomorphic frogs.