Japanese People and their Tanukis

I was uploading some photos from my Japan 06 vacation to the “Photographer” section and needed help identifying some Japanese folklore characters. These fat-buddha-bellied animals are everywhere in Japan and it really bothered me that I didn’t know what this thing was called or even the type of animal this character was supposed to represent (I always thought it was a cross between an owl/monkey/bear).

But with the help of my Caroline, I figured out they are called tanukis (raccoon dogs). 

Proceed to read this brilliant wikipedia explanation of what these animals are about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanuki

An excerpt of my favorite part:

“Tan Tan Tanuki no kintama wa,

Kaze mo nai no ni,

Bura bura

(Roughly translated, this means “Tan-tan-tanuki’s/Raccoon-raccoon-raccoon dog’s testicles, there isn’t even any wind but still go swing-swing-swing”.^[1] It then proceeds to continue for several verses, with many regional variations. It is sung to the melody of an American Baptist hymn called Shall We Gather At The River?.^[2])”

 

Ah, the Japanese and their sexual innuendoes. For reference, please click on the Photographer section, scroll down about halfway and you will find some tanuki goodness.