Carved figuring of Japanese man laboring under burden of bound bear on his back. Bear is tethered by ropes around three legs that are drawn together and held over shoulder in man's right hand. Both bear and man have open mouths and appear to be struggling. The man's clothing is open-front tunic over loose pants, and a tied-up package at his feet are Japanese according to Pat Berger of the Asian Art Museum. A couple of wooden pallets are attached to cord around waist at back. A water container (?) made from section of bamboo lies on ground at his feet. Man is leaning on a staff with gnarled shape and carved wood grain at top. There is great detail in the carving, from the straw sandals to the expression on his face. Scratch carving of a floral design over a checkerboard patter is scattered over his garb. Black paint or ink has been rubbed carving to make it stand out. Old man's hair has been colored in the same fashion. The small boar on the man's back seems to have freed one of his paws and may be scratching the man. Both the man and his packages have been glued to the elephant ivory, oval slab 7 mm thick and 9.5 cm long which is the base. A scratch carving that has been inked over is on the bottom. The remnant of a sticker is also on botton.
