This ceramic sculpture depicts the Japanese tanuki, also called raccoon-dog due to various mistranslations, a curious animal that is native to Japan.
The legendary tanuki is believe to be mischievous, a master of disguise, and shapeshifts.
One of the most famous myths surrounding the tanuki is its ability to shape-shift into the form of a beautiful woman with which it plays mischievous tricks on passersby. Despite transforming itself, the tanuki can also transform certain things, such as turning pebbles into gold, or feces into food.