Bunbuku Chagama: Bunbuku Chagama is a magical tanuki featured in a classic Japanese folktale.

Bunbuku Chagama - The tale of Bunbuku Chagama highlights themes of gratitude and the unexpected rewards of kindness, showcasing the magical aspects of tanuki in Japanese culture.

Bunbuku Chagama

Bunbuku Chagama - The tale of Bunbuku Chagama highlights themes of gratitude and the unexpected rewards of kindness, showcasing the magical aspects of tanuki in Japanese culture.

Bunbuku Chagama is a magical tanuki featured in a classic Japanese folktale. Renowned for its shapeshifting ability, it transforms into a tea kettle to aid its rescuer. This benevolent trickster rewards kindness with unexpected magic.

Origins & First Encounters

Source Texts & Tale Variants

Form & Powers

Regional Faces

Cultural Parallels

Legacy & Modern Evolution

Interesting Fact

An intriguing aspect of Bunbuku Chagama is its ability to transform into a common household object, blurring the line between the magical and the everyday in Japanese culture.

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Quick Creature Info

Associations:

Tea kettle symbolism

Our Mythic Legendary Rating:

Mythic Ember
Mythic Ember rating

Also Sometimes Known As:

文福茶釜分福茶釜

Habitat:

Japanese rural environmentsShrines and forested areasEarthPhysical realmJapanOften associated with traditional tea culture and natural settings in folkloreForests, rural areas, and traditional Japanese settingsCountryside

Supernatural Powers:

shape-shifting

Physical Attributes:

Shapeshifting transformation into a tea kettlePlump body typical of tanukiRound, mask-like faceFurry coatNoticeable tail (not used as a weapon)

Abilities:

Can transform into inanimate objects, most famously a tea kettleResourcefulnessBenevolence when repaying kindness

Behavior:

Mischievous yet benevolentUtilises its magical abilities to reward kindness, embodying the trickster archetype with a caring heart

Lore:

Trickster and benefactorJapanese folkloreThe tale of Bunbuku Chagama highlights themes of gratitude and the unexpected rewards of kindness, showcasing the magical aspects of tanuki in Japanese culture

Related Creatures, Tales or Lore

  • K
    Kitsune (Japanese fox spirit known for shapeshifting)
  • B
    Bakeneko (supernatural cat from Japanese folklore)
  • N
    Nekomata (a mythical, transformed cat spirit)

References

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Mythical Disclaimer: The images and data on this site are derived from various historical and literary sources, but we have found that many myths often have multiple versions and interpretations across references, sometimes contradictory. As a result, these creature depictions are artistic interpretations—imaginative blends of folklore, legend, and a dash of AI guesswork. Because creature descriptions vary widely, our illustrations and accompanying information represent our best effort to honor mythology while bridging creative gaps. Enjoy these interpretations—just remember, we've done our best to respect the stories and validate available data, but in the realm of mythology, details often shift, imagination leads the way, and nothing is ever set in stone!

Curated by the Mythological Creatures Team (rev. May 2025)