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Figurine - Artifacts

Description
Clay badger figurine Painted figure standing on round black base, wears painted red kimono, which is spalling, bottom of figure is kanji script enclosed in circle: "Morinji" (temple where Bumbuku Chagama is famous) Badger (Tanuki) Lore "Tanuki Bozu" badger as a Buddhist priest, presumed to be kind and trustworthy, often shown coifed with a lotus leaf and wrapped in a lotus leaf cloak, the lotus being the chief emblem of Buddhism. When the badger becomes 1000 years old, it can work magic, produce mirages, and change itself into all kinds of inanimate and human forms. It is connected with Buddhism when it takes the form of Buddha, a boddhisattva, priest, nun, pilgrim or a Buddhist speaking statue. Wicked priests turn back into badgers when they die. Considered to be very skillful with a brush, badgers often decorate writing implements. The badger leads people astray on moonlit nights by beating on its huge belly, as on a temple drum to make enticing rhythmic music and then disappears. The badger is more bent on mischievous tricks than real evil. (Japanese Animal Art, Antique & Contemporary by Lea Batten, p. 46)
Object ID
1996.010.019