Very unique vintage item. Purchased at flea market in Shigaraki.

Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜 or 文福茶釜) , literally "Bunbuku tea-kettle"is a Japanese folktale or fairy tale about a tanuki (raccoon dog), that uses its shapeshifting powers to reward its rescuer for his kindness.

The fox is captured or tricked by a man and transforms into a tea kettle; the man then sells the kettle, typically to a high priest (oshō). When the kettle is scrubbed, it yells "ouch", and when placed on fire, it yells "hot" and starts dancing. Subsequently it flees, or returns to the seller, and/or performs dances in tea-kettle form to profit the owner. The dancing raccoon dog, which is a familiar motif in the fairy tale, is comparatively rare among folk tales.

Height (without lid)/6.5cm
Width/12cm
Length (mouth to bottom)/14.5cm