{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O75222"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O75222/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8674/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AT8674/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AT8674","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O75222/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O75222","accessionNumber":"M.1365-1926","objectType":"Netsuke","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This particular form of <i>netsuke</i> (a kind of toggle) is known as a <i>kagamibuta</i> (mirror-plate) <i>netsuke</i>. It is a masterpiece of simplicity of design and shows the transformation of the <i>tanuki</i> (a creature able to change its appearance) into a tea-kettle. The design is graceful and unpretentious, allowing the artist to utilize the restrictive format to its fullest. The expression of the <i>tanuki</i> as it undergoes yet another transformation sums up the feeling of resignation it must have to its fate.\n\nThis is an ivory toggle (<i>netsuke</i>) with a silver plate showing the transformation of a tanuki into a teakettle. The tanuki is a smallish creature that resembles both the badger and raccoon and is believed to be able to change its shape to enchant people. It also has the power to transform itself into an inanimate object, often with the aim of rewarding a kind person.\n\n<b>The miraculous teakettle (<i>Bunbuku Chagama</i>)</b>\n<i>Bunbuku Chagama</i> is an old Japanese folktale and the title refers to the noise made by water boiling in an iron teakettle. A priest loved collecting antiques and acquired an old teakettle. His young priests were cleaning the teakettle when it began to scream and wriggle about in their hands. They ran to the priest and told him what had happened but not surprisingly he did not believe them and told them to fill the kettle with water and bring it back to him. They nervously did as they were told and brought it back to the priest who placed it on the fire to boil up some water for tea.  No sooner was it on the fire when it began to shake about, spitting out water and growing the head, legs, and tail of a tanuki and began to run around the room. When they managed to catch it, it resumed the form of a teakettle.\n\nThe priest decided to give the kettle away to a poor tinker. The tinker soon discovered the true nature of the teakettle and he and the tanuki struck up a friendship. As a reward for his kindness, the tanuki would take on the shape of objects that the tinker could sell.  Once sold, the tanuki would resume its animal form and run back to the tinker who would sell it again and so he became rich.\n\nWhen the tanuki died it took on the shape of the teakettle forever. The tinker carried the teakettle back the priest and told him the amazing story. He was so impressed that he asked if the temple could be allowed to keep the teakettle and it remains there to this day as one of its most valued treasures.","physicalDescription":"This particular form of netsuke is known as a kagamibuta (mirror-plate) netsuke.  It is a masterpiece of simplicity of design and shows the transformation of the tanuki into a tea-kettle.  The design is graceful and unpretentious and allows the artist to utilize the restrictive format to its fullest.  The expression of the tanuki as it undergoes yet another transformation sums up the feeling of resignation it must have to its fate.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Kazunori","id":"A9281"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Ivory and engraved silver","categories":[],"styles":[{"text":"Late Edo","id":"AAT106658"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006AT8674"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"67","id":"THES49731"},"free":"","case":"CA004","shelf":"DR010","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Netsuke","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"early 19th century","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1850-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Ernest A. Brooks","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"4.2","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Kagamibuta (mirror-plate) netsuke, ivory case and silver plaque, depicting a tanuki (fox-like creature) transforming itself into a tea kettle, Japanese, 19th century; Met, Japan, dress accessories","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.1365-1926"],"accessionNumberNum":"1365","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1926,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-07-22","recordCreationDate":"2003-02-25","availableToBook":false}}