Tanuki-Tei (Raccoon Series)

‘Tanuki-Tei’, the brand created in the last years

From around 1907, Kozan I had suffered from spitting of massive blood caused by a gastric ulcer and an eye disease due to an unknown cause, and he was often in the grip of disease in his last years. His creative urge, however, never subsided, and he launched a new brand named ‘Tanuki-Tei (Raccoon Dog Bower)’ in August, 1913, while continuing producing Makuzu ware. It was three years before his death.
“Tanuki-Tei, Shohin Uri-age Cho (Products Sales Book)” written by Kozan I himself is stored in the Yokohama History Museum. The book includes many small items usable in daily life, such as ‘Tanuki’s sake pitcher’, ‘Tanuki’s toothpick case’ and ‘Tanuki painted teacup’. It is recorded that the last ‘Tanuki-Tei’ brand product was created on November 13, 1913, meaning that ‘Tanuki-Tei’ had continued only for three months. Very few ‘Tanuki-Tei’ products remain today and that is why they are regarded as truly rare ware.