By Inoue Joshu, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century Constructed in two separate sections, the young oxherd seated cross-legged on the back of an ox playing the flute, a halter tied through the ox's nose and tucked into the boy's belt, a gourd strapped to his back, signed on the ox's belly with carved characters Joshu to (Carved by Joshu); with a wood tomobako storage box inscribed on the outside of the lid Kibori bokudo okimono Joshu saku (Wood okimono of a herd boy made by Joshu) with two seals. 33cm x 30cm (13in x 11¾in). (3).