tanukis
Asian canids, not raccoons
Tanukis is the plural of tanuki, a raccoon-like canid native to East Asia, sometimes called a raccoon dog.
In Japanese folklore, tanukis are mischievous shapeshifters often depicted with comically large testicles, symbolizing luck and prosperity.
They appear frequently in anime, video games, and as statues outside Japanese businesses: The garden had a ceramic tanuki by the gate.
Being altering its form
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- yokaiJapanese supernatural entity
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- magicalPossessing supernatural power
disguise · transformation · leaves · statue · sake · merchant · monk · illusion
shapeshifter
Being altering its form
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- yokaiJapanese supernatural entity
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
magical · disguise · transformation · leaves · statue · sake · merchant · monk · illusion · mischief
raccoon dog
Basal canid resembling procyonids
nocturnal · burrow · hibernate · fur · wild · forest · mammal · Asia · Korea · China
ceramic
Fired clay material
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- templeSacred worship structure
- shrineSacred devotional place
restaurant · good luck · prosperity · doorway · straw hat · big belly · welcoming · business · anime · Mario