Folklore Japanese Raccoon Dog
It is undoubtedly a close relative of the asian raccoon dog but many scientists believe it is a separate species.
Folklore japanese raccoon dog. The subspecies of raccoon dog native to japan is known as the tanuki. A sculpture of tanuki a japanese raccoon dog. Japanese folklore encompasses a wide variety of mythical monsters yōkai 妖怪 some scary some lucky and some a bit more on the mysterious side. The raccoon dog nyctereutes procyonoides from the greek words nykt night ereutēs wanderer prokyōn before dog but in new latin used to mean raccoon oidēs similar to also known as the mangut its evenki name tanuki or neoguri is a canid indigenous to east asia it is the only extant species in the genus nyctereutes despite its name its closest relatives are.
It is indeed what it sounds like. Researchers have suggested that they be considered a separate species n. Beloved in japanese folklore statues of the raccoon dog or tanuki often take some humorous liberties with this anatomical feature according to wikipedia with the raccoon dog balls typically. Pronounced is a subspecies of the asian raccoon dog.
In folklore tanuki is believed to be a supernatural animal bringing good fortune and happiness. In addition to being a real animal tanuki are also found throughout japanese folklore as mystical shape shifting spirits. This particular spirit supposedly brings good fortune and prosperity. Why a well endowed raccoon dog is big in japan copy link facebook twitter reddit flipboard pocket a tanuki far from home in brisbane australia photograph by the author.
Many japanese businesses display statues of bake danuke to represent prosperity and good luck. The japanese raccoon dog nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus also known as the tanuki japanese. Procyonoides hondo tanuki ホンドタ. Yuri smityuk tass alamy live news.
Not to be mistaken with the image of a typical raccoon the tanuki is actually an unrelated animal with somewhat similar physical features. The japanese raccoon dog is a real species but its family tree is hotly debated by scientists. One shape shifting mythical spirit in japanese folklore is called bake danuke which translates to monster raccoon dog it s commonly shown with a big belly and a large scrotum. Tanuki the tipsy trickster.
Amongst these is the tanuki 狸 or japanese raccoon dog. The raccoon dog who was once treated like a god became a bumbling trickster with laughable powers.