Hello! It is the blog How Unique Japan! We always share aspects of Japanese culture on this website.
So, what comes today?
In the past, we have written about the animals that are servants of the God of harvesting (or protector of the land). They are spiritualised foxes called Inari.
They sometimes appear as monsters with mysterious/magical powers, which make them shapeshifters in many fairy tales. Yep. The Japanese in ancient times admired the foxes.
(If you want to know about the fox shrines, please click here!)
Interestingly, such noble animals have a rival, usually challenging the foxes to determine which has stronger magical power. They are Japanese Raccoon Dogs. So, the old Japanese thought they also had magical powers like foxes.
But the authors of legends/fairytales used to write the unique kinds of dogs as silly guys, cheaters, and villains, but also as admirable.
How can they be lovable, even villains?
Let us explore more details about the protagonist, the Tanuki, also known as the Japanese raccoon dog.
How do they act in each legend/fairy tale?
Then, what do they (Japanese raccoon dogs) do in any stories and legends? The ancient Japanese often believed that some foxes worked for the gods as servants.
So, they should be intelligent and look sacred and gorgeous.
In contrast, raccoon dogs often play foolish antagonists. This characterization makes them appear as comedians and often losers because they usually fail to achieve success in each story.
It sounds cute and pitiful. Please come to think of it. The famous movie studio that made My Neighbor Totoro also created the animated film concerned with the Tanuki. Yep. They are silly boys, but admirable.
Indeed. It is why we Japanese do not fear the Japanese raccoon dogs, even though they have some magical power.
Followingly, they usually take the role of the comical (like a clown). But why did the Japanese think the raccoon dogs had such power?
In the next section, let us refine the three habits of the dogs. It may explain why the old Japanese misunderstood.
Three unique habits of the Tanuki
1 Feigning dead / playing possum
The Japanese raccoon dogs are cowardly. They typically play dead (playing possum) in response to loud sounds or sudden threats.
Interestingly, this habit can sometimes help avoid predators, as they typically target living, moving creatures and tend to avoid eating carrion.
Such a habit also surprised the human hunters. Come to think of it. From afar, the hunter fired the arrow or a bullet, whatever. The target (Tanuki) fell down the hunter ensured it by observation. However, if the hunter blinked or looked away to approach, they disappeared.
Yeah. Some hunters would make a rumor about the strange incident. They might have thought.
What?! I was sure I got it! How did they disappear? It is not possible. They somehow tricked me with a special power.
The legend of the Japanese raccoon dogs began. (Probably)
2 The fear of the path in the dark
Additionally, the Tanukis are nocturnal, and their population is quite high.
Indeed. They were everywhere in the old times. It was common for ancestors to encounter them on dark paths. They probably thought when they got surprised.
They might have thought.
Wow!! What was that!! Oh dear. Are you just Tanuki? Hey. Do not scare me like that! Jeez. What is that animal?? They possess an unusual ability and enjoy frightening humans. What is wrong with them??
3 The sounds for communication.
The last habit we tell you is pretty unique. It is a communication skill. Surprisingly, the dogs can share some parts of their territory, even the toilet area. That is why we also call them the ultimate pacifists.
So, what kind of skill do such pacifists need for cruel wildlife? It is the communication. Yes. Their roaring has many variations. They can growl to communicate. They also make a high-pitched sound. It is like a bird (pheasant).
The hunters or forestry workers would wonder at the many kinds of noise happening at the same time and everywhere. After they heard the sounds, they would conclude, though it was uncertain.
What were those sounds?? What? Those animals also can make such a voice??? Come on. What kind of creatures are they???
The hunters would have thought.
One more fact. In some fairy tales, they sometimes play a drum by hitting their huge stomachs.
In reality, they can make the fizzing sound. Indeed. The ancestors mixed that sound with the idea of drumming.
What is that doll?
Indeed. We really admire such lovely animals. Its cuteness inspired some pottery workers to create these strange dolls. Please look at this picture.
See? His face is kind of strange and cute. During the Meiji era (1868-1912), a pottery creator in Shiga Prefecture produced that piece.
First of all, that souvenir was not famous. But now, some local businesses, for instance, old restaurants and inns, usually set this object as a charm for success.
Why did such a strange doll become popular?
The turning point happened when the Japanese emperor, Tenno, visited the prefecture (Shiga) in 1951. It was the Shouwa era.
Surprisingly, he was famous as the Japanese Raccoon nerd. Then, the citizens placed many (really many) dolls holding flags beside the path coming by the carriage. Yep. That was for welcoming. You can guess how impressed he got.
After his stay, he took that doll as purveyor. It was a great opportunity for the dolls.
Indeed. That article (Tenno fell in love with the dolls) helped the production. However, there should still be a question left. Why does the Tanuki doll concern the business?
In Japanese, we can separate the name Tanuki into Ta and Nuki. Of course, both have unique meanings. Ta means the others, then, Nuki means taking forward.
So, we can read it, taking it further than the others. It sounds catchy for people who run their own business. It is the reason that dolls became popular.
Interesting. There is one more question left. Do you notice that the pictures of Tanuki dolls do not show you the underparts? If you know the complete figure of the dolls, you would agree it’s better not to show it.
Indeed. All pottery Tanuki dolls have a huge couple (two) of golden bags (We are pretty sorry that we used those sensitive words). If you are wondering, please make sure by yourself with the internet. That strange feature is quite common for pottery Tanuki dolls.
Why do they have such huge THINGS?
Do you notice? It has the name the golden.
In ancient times, some craft workers used Japanese raccoon skin to process gold into leaf, because the skin was flexible and durable. Besides, we seriously call the precious parts of males (all kinds of species) the golden balls.
How did they use the skin? The craftsman covered the gold with the skin, then hit it with the hammer until it became thin.
It is the source of the rumor. The skin of the Japanese raccoon is useful for processing gold. Then, the Tanuki golden bags are huge. The old Japanese created such a connection. It is the reason there are many drawings from ancient times showing the big (huge) bags of the Tanuki.
Yep. You hit the bullseye. The golden bags became known as money bags. The pottery creator of the Tanuki dolls designed their bags to be quite large for that specific reason.
What is more？
Wow. We did not expect this article to become thick! But, it could be proof that it is full of interest! Thank you so much for reading this all! However, our blog is not over yet. We still have many topics worth sharing with you!
Now, we have four topics. The lifestyle in Japan, the foods, the ancient culture (the Edo era), and the religions as well.
If you are still curious about Japanese culture, please try to read them! They sometimes niche information. LOL!
OK, then, see you for the next adventure in Japan!