Raccoon dog & priest, folktale “Bunbuku Chagama” in Tatebayashi No.1

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folktales, Japan, photography, Tatebayashi, temple, travel

In Tatebayashi (Gunma prefetcure), there is a temple named Morinji which is famous about the legend of a raccoon dog, “Bunbuku Chagama”. This story is well known in Japan. There are plates that show the drawing and the story of “Bunbuku Chagama” from the Tatebayashi station to Morinji along the street. I introduce you them. (Japanese story and pictures are written by Hajime Abe. When I translated into English, I changed some sentences.)

Long long ago, there was a temple which named “Morinji” at Tatebayashi.

One day, a man bought some utensils was walking in the woods. He found a raccoon dog (tanuki) caught in a trap. Then he felt sorry that he set him free.

The other day, passing the same way, he found the old tea kettle in the woods. Since he felt it was a pity to waste it, he bought it and cleaned. Then the tea kettle seemed very wonderful.

He thought “The priest of Morinji temple is looking for a nice tea kettle. It wiil be good for him!” The priest was glad to see this nice tea kettle that paid much money for the dealer.

It was very busy for the big Buddhist service to serve tea. What a surprise! However much the priest used the hot water, there were enough water in the tea kettle.

At midnight, a noise woke the priest up. When he saw in the dark room, a raccoon dog took the shape of the tea kettle! He was petrified with terror.

The priest called all young priests, but it was just an ordinarry tea kettle. Everybody said “You must have dreamed it.”

Next morning, the priest called the dealer and said “It looks something strange and weird. I want to destroy it.” Suddenly surprising raccoon dog sticked out his head and limbs from the tea kettle, then they were surprised, too.

The raccoon dog, quite crest-fallen, told them, “I wanted to repay for the dealer’s kindness, but it was hard for me to continue of ducking my limbs and tryied to stretch them. At thet time, he just found my figure.” The priest laughed loud and said, “Splendid! I am satisfied with the success of Buddhist memorial service. Thanks to you.”

The priest also said “I want to show the village’s people this raccoon dog-tea kettle.” The raccoon dog was glad to hear that, and made a promise to show the people his performance.

Young priests informed all over the village. “We will hold the amazing performance at the temple.The raccoon dog’s ropewalking, dance and tumble! Everybody, come and see!”

Many people came to the temple. The raccoon dog tea kettle was a wonderful ropewalking with dancing and tumbling on the rope! Everybody surprised and applauded loudly. Then raccoon dog tea kettle became a popular, and number of people came to see his peformance from villages remote from the temple.

The priest used much money, which was the entrance fee, for the village to construct the bridge or bank on the river. So he named this raccoon dog “Bun-buku Chagama” that means Bun is distribute, buku is fortune, and chagama is tea kettle. Now Bun-buku Chagama is sleeping at the temple Morinji. It is said he sometimes streches his limbs from the tea kettle, and walks around the temple in the midnight.

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