E9: Tanuki

B dives into the Japanese lore surrounding a cute raccoon dog creature... and its most defining physical feature...

Some images will not appear on Instagram due to sensitive content.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog#In_folklore_and_tradition

https://yokai.fandom.com/wiki/Tanuki

https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Tanuki

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-tanuki-japan-s-trickster-god

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%8Dkai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rokurokubi

Images

Fig. 1 Unknown. Taxidermy of a Japanese raccoon dog, wearing waraji on its feet, temple Morinji, Tatebayashi, Gunma pref. Japan

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taxidermy_of_Raccoon_Dog-Morinji,_Tatebayashi,_Gunma.JPG

Fig. 2 Unknown. Ceramic Statue of Tanuki or Racoon dog. Banna-ji. Ashikaga, Tochigi

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tanuki_or_Racoon_dog._Banna-ji._Ashikaga,_Tochigi.jpg

Fig. 3 Takehara Shunsensai. tanuki with his giant scrotum and fune yūrei from Picture Book of a Hundred Tales (Ehon hyaku monogatari), vol. 1, written by Tōkaen Michimaro. 1841, Honolulu Museum of Art

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Takehara_Shunsensai,_Tokaen_Michimaro,_Picture_Book_of_a_Hundred_Tales_(Ehon_hyaku_monogatari),_vol._2,_1841.jpg

Fig. 4 Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Rokurokubi from Fun with Racoon Dogs (Aratamete tanuki no tawamure) by Kazusa-ya Iwazô.

http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/More%20Fun%20with%20Raccoon%20Dogs.htm

Fig. 5 Nintendo, Tom Nook from Animal Crossing

https://animalcrossing.fandom.com/wiki/Tom_Nook