Tanuki (Japanese Raccoon Dog) Figure
Decorative ceramic sculpture, likely a sake bottle (tokkuri) or incense burner • Unknown Japanese commercial pottery workshop; likely Shigaraki-ware style production
Style & Movement
Japanese Folk Art (Mingei influence) / Kitsch
Medium & Technique
Glazed stoneware or porcelain; mold-cast with a monochromatic brown lead or celadon-style glaze
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th century (c. 1950-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 6 x 4 x 3 inches; portrait orientation, freestanding 3D format
Subject Description
A bipedal Tanuki wearing a straw hat, holding a sake flask (tokkuri) and a promissory note (tsuicho). The figure features the 'Eight Virtues' iconography, including a large belly (boldness) and oversized testicles (financial luck/malleability of gold), representing prosperity and protection for businesses.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the piece shows high-gloss retention but contains a notable circular hole in the chest area, which may be a manufacturing defect or a missing structural component.
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $40 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD
Provenance History
Likely a mass-produced souvenir or household talisman; current location suggests a secondary market thrift or antique mall setting.
Art Historical Significance
Minor; represents the popularized 20th-century iteration of the Shigaraki Tanuki, a staple of Japanese commercial folklore and a common 'maneki' (welcoming) figure for izakayas and shops.
Notable Features
Features a monochromatic brown glaze instead of the traditional multi-color hand-painted style, suggesting a more utilitarian or low-cost manufacturing process.
Condition Issues
Notable hole in the upper chest/neck area appears intentional for a spout or incense, but lacks a finishing plug; minor surface abrasions and dust accumulation in crevices.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning with a soft, damp cloth; keep away from high-vibration areas to prevent chipping of the brittle glaze.