The Monk's True Nature: The Tale of Morinji's Magical Tea Kettle
- Re.JapBook
- Feb 14
- 1 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Mysterious Monk
This evocative print depicts the legend of Shukaku, a monk at Morinji Temple in Gunma Prefecture, who was revealed to be a supernatural being. The tale centers around a remarkable tea kettle that became known as the Bunbuku Chagama (The Lucky Tea Kettle).
The Miraculous Kettle
During a massive Buddhist gathering in 1570, when the temple needed to serve tea to thousands of visitors, Shukaku produced a mysterious kettle. This vessel demonstrated supernatural properties—no matter how much hot water was drawn from it, it never ran dry. Due to its ability to share blessings, it became known as the "Purple-Bronze Fortune-Sharing Tea Kettle."
The Revelation
Yoshitoshi captures the poignant moment of Shukaku's true nature being revealed. One day, while in deep sleep, his disguise slipped—fur grew on his limbs, and a tail appeared, exposing him as a tanuki (raccoon dog) who had lived for thousands of years.
The Final Performance
Before departing the temple, Shukaku demonstrated his supernatural powers one last time, creating vivid illusions of both the Battle of Yashima and Buddha's sermons. As the audience wept with emotion, he transformed into his true tanuki form and disappeared.
Artistic Interpretation
The print shows Shukaku in his monk's robes, head bowed over his desk, with withered flowers and peeling walls suggesting the melancholy of his impending departure. This portrayal differs significantly from the more playful versions of the tale that would later become popular in Japanese folklore.
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