The story is based on a folk/fairy tale "Bunbuku Chagama" from Japan. Finnish translation "Ihmeellinen teepannu" by author Tuulikki Korpinen is included in the Finnish language book "Japanilaisia satuja" (Valistus, 1949). Korpinen lived in Japan during, and after the World War II. English language version "The Tea-Kettle" is included in the book "Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales" by author Grace James (Macmillan and Co, 1910).
Premiered on Finnish television at Yle TV2 channel in Pikku kakkonen (1977) in October 16, 1994. This was also the 3000th episode of the children's television series.