J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York

The form of this water dropper refers to an ancient Korean folktale which may be traced back to the 7th century. In the story, the Dragon King who resides in the Southern Sea has become very ill. The royal doctors advise that the only cure for the Dragon King’s sickness requires a rabbit’s liver. His loyal subject the tortoise volunteers to travel to the surface in search of a rabbit. The tortoise finds a rabbit on land and convinces him to ride on the tortoise’s back to the underwater palace where the rabbit will be welcomed as an honored guest. When they arrive at the palace, the Dragon King’s true motive is soon revealed but the quick-thinking rabbit comes up with a plan. He explains that his liver is too valuable to travel with and therefore he does not have with him at the moment, rather it is hidden in a safe place in the woods. He promises he will be glad to sacrifice himself for the king if the tortoise will take him back to land to retrieve his liver. His plan works, and as soon as the rabbit is back on land he makes a speedy getaway.