Japanese bronze Tanuki signed Norimitsu Meiji period

Japanese silvered bronze Tanuki in the guise of a Buddhist priest wrapped in a cloak and leaning over a mokugyo, a percussion instrument used in temples to keep time for chanting, clutching a rosary beads with its paw, the details finally engraved signed in a rectangular plaque Dai Nihon Norimitsu saku (made by Norimitsu, Great Japan) 大日本 則光作, Meiji period (1868-1912).

The Tanuki 狸 (Japanese raccoon dog) often features in Japanese tales.
The legendary animal has a mischievous nature and magical powers making it capable of shape shifting into human form or into objects. The Tanuki has a long tail, which it uses to wrap itself into a bundle and hide, or to baffle its enemies.

In the famous tale Bunbuku Chagama 文福茶釜, a tanuki uses its magical powers to turn itself into a performing tea kettle in order to repay the kindness of a monk who cared for him. 

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