A Japanese sectional ivory carving of a standing man from the story of the Shitakiri Suzume, or the Tongue-cut Sparrow, the bearded old man wearing a cap, coat and leggings and holding a staff in one hand and carrying his basket on his back together with a drum, scrolls, hats and various other items perched on top, a gourd and inro slung from his belt, his clothes incised and stained with geometric patterns, on marine ivory base carved with bamboo stumps and leaves, the details stained black (minor damage) -- 16¾in.high, signed Tomeido Gyokushi. See illustration