Story Summary
Discover the charming tale of Bunbuku Chagama the Magic Tea Kettle, where a grateful tanuki transforms into a kettle to reward a poor man's kindness and mercy.
Long ago, a poor junk dealer found a tanuki caught in a cruel trap. Feeling pity, he released the creature. That night, the tanuki visited him, offering to repay his kindness. The tanuki transformed into a beautiful brass tea kettle and told the man to sell it to the local priest. The dealer did so, but when the priest put the kettle over a fire to boil water, it sprouted a furry head, legs, and a bushy tail! Shouting in pain, the tea kettle tanuki ran back to the dealer's house. The tanuki then proposed a new plan: they would start a traveling circus. The magical kettle performed incredible feats, like walking a tightrope while carrying a paper umbrella. The duo became famous and wealthy. Eventually, the dealer retired and returned the tanuki—now a sacred relic—to the Morin-ji temple, where it was honored for generations.
The Moral
Acts of genuine kindness and compassion toward others, even animals, often return to us in the form of unexpected prosperity and friendship.
“Kindness shown to a creature of the wild returns as a fortune for the heart.”
Fun Fact
The story is so culturally significant that the Morin-ji Temple in Gunma Prefecture displays a series of tanuki statues and claims to be the home of the original legendary kettle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Bunbuku Chagama the Magic Tea Kettle?
The moral is that kindness toward all living things is always rewarded. It also highlights the importance of gratitude and the bond that can form between humans and nature through acts of mercy.
What kind of creature is the tanuki in Japanese folklore?
A tanuki is a Japanese raccoon dog known in mythology for being a mischievous but often benevolent shapeshifter. They are frequently depicted with magical powers and a love for sake and transformation.
Why did the tanuki turn into a tea kettle?
The tanuki transformed into a tea kettle to help the poor man who saved him from a trap. By becoming a valuable object, he allowed the man to sell him for money to improve his life.
What does the name Bunbuku mean?
The name 'Bunbuku' is often interpreted as 'happiness bubbling over' like a boiling kettle. It is a play on words suggesting the joy and fortune the magical creature brings.
Is there a real temple associated with this story?
Yes, the Morin-ji Temple in Tatebayashi, Japan, is famously associated with this legend. The temple still houses a kettle that is said to be the original one from the folklore.
Why did the kettle run away from the priest?
The tanuki could not stand the heat of the fire when the priest tried to boil water. The transformation was only external, so he felt the burning and had to reveal his true form to escape.
