stoneware raccoon figure - Japanese Tanuki

I fear it is a dreaded Shigaraki raccoon. They say that holding a cross in front of them will make them shatter - if only.

It is the symbol of the town of Shigaraki that is the source of some of the finest wood-fired pottery in the world.

If you go there these are everywhere................... so a tourist souvenir bought by people who go to Shigaraki other than to see the pottery produced there.

I am sure that you will be able to sell it Sunny but I hope that the person who buys it does so in order to crush it.

Note: You might have guessed that it isn't to my taste.

That is extraordinary.  

They come in plastic and bright colours too so it could be much worse.

when i saw this today i most admit i have never seen anything like it before... i know chinese have immortal figure similar to this shape but in human form, but not with fox head... and some immortal figures some people say they have some meaning does anyone knows? i like this figure and is going straight to my collection i reckon this is one of antique of the future lol...

lol i'm joking, i suppose everyone buys an item cos they like it....everything isn't about money sometime i fall in love with this items because they speak to me after looking throw it over and over again then admire the beauty and craftsmanship gone into making this item believe you me i respect this people who do all this stuff for yours all to enjoy.

Keep the sake cups Sunny but sell this. Thousands upon thousands of these pesky raccoon dogs have been produced and will continue to be produced probably 'til the end of time.

You've probably never been to Skegness, the jewel of the Lincolnshire coast, but there the emblem is a Jolly Sailor. Your figure is the same. It's like going to Paris and bringing back a model of the Eiffel Tower as a souvenir.

It is much better than your average Shigaraki raccoon dog though.

The Japanese name for them is tanuki.

lol john you do make me laugh... thanks for that... i hear what your saying..... your a nice and good person... you've help me couple of times with item i know noting about and actually i did learn a lot from you guys also... is just me i like things people don't like... once an item as a quirky feel to it then deal done... looks perfect where i placed it.. thank you john :)

It looks to be Blanc de Chine porcelain with an oxide glaze over the hat and cape, and, whether by accident or design, over the head too.
I would have bought it too, but probably kept it at the back of the bookcase.

Actually I'm warming to it - it is rather cute.

NaomiM wrote:It looks to be Blanc de Chine porcelain with an oxide glaze over the hat and cape, and, whether by accident or design, over the head too.
I would have bought it too, but probably kept it at the back of the bookcase.

It's stoneware Naomi, with the milky white glaze made from a mixture of wood ash and straw ash. Probably wood-fired too.

looks like Kung-fu Panda

Lol bigtoboy I see what you mean.. thanks guys, I love it because is got character :)

Trust me when you have it display it is rather cute

You're getting rather personal about Bistoboy there Sunny.

Bigtoboy indeed!!!!!

lol nope i am not... he's right looks like Kung-fu Panda as well... watched a bit kung-fu panda myself... awesome character as well..... so perhaps my kung-fu panda to watch over my home :)

you enjoy it when you have it display where you can always view it...i'd rather throw it away than have it put at the back of bookcase

very welled placed isn't it?

Yes and it's bigger than I imagined.