Bell

Bell

Painted pottery bell Standing badger figure brown with white belly holding orange lantern (kanji: "beware of fire") wearing green lotus leaf hat. Rust brown string tied through hole in hat for suspension. Figure is hollow with ball inside. Slit in figure on bottom. Number 4 written on bottom. 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 bodhisattva 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)

1996.010.013