Crapaud" Kaeru" En Cèdre Du Japon ,showa

Large Japanese cedar toad (in Japanese yakusugi).  Yakusugi (Japanese cedar wood) or cryptomeria comes from the island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site The glass eyes are painted in black and gold. In the Japanese bestiary, the toad occupies a special place, carrying positive values. The toad as well as the frog, both called Kaeru, return every year and regardless of the distance to the pond where they were born. The word Kaeru is synonymous with "going home". It is the protective animal of travelers and the symbol of hospitality. Its effigy is present on door knockers or gongs placed at the entrance of certain houses and hotels. The toad also has the power to attract wealth. This fact dates back to the time of feudal Japan, when tax collectors were recognizable by the netsuke in the shape of a toad or frog that they wore on their belts. Japan - Shôwa period (1926-1989), second half of the 20th century