Bake-Danuki (shape-shifting raccoon dog)

Bake-Danuki, this creature (animals) often deceives people. While it is a familiar and beloved animal in Japan, when it starts deceiving people, it can only be called a yokai (a supernatural being). In Japanese.

Tanuki and danuki refers to the Japanese raccoon dog.

Tanuki worship

That is one of the ancient folk beliefs seen throughout Japan, with a particularly strong presence in Shikoku area, especially in Tokushima and Kagawa Prefectures. Tanuki have long been regarded as animals with the ability to shapeshift, and they are especially famous as “bake-danuki” (shape-shifting raccoon dog) known for deceiving people.

However, they are also considered friendly creatures and were believed to serve as protectors of property, as well as bringers of good fortune and prosperity. Due to this, tanuki were often deified, and people began to worship them in hopes of various blessings, such as business success, family safety, and even the fulfillment of good relationships.

Sigaraki-yaki Tanuki’s Eight Aspect of Good Fortune

The Shigaraki-yaki tanuki has eight features that represent good fortune. It is especially believed to bring benefits such as prosperity in business and safety in the home. The origin of this belief comes from the name “tanuki,” which can be interpreted as “ta” (other) and “nuki” (to surpass), symbolizing the wish for a business to be more prosperous than others, leading many to place these figures at the entrances of their shops.

As for the “Eight Aspects of Good Fortune,” since I am not originally from Shigaraki, the meanings might vary, especially as the tradition evolved in the Kanto region. Please understand that the interpretations may have changed over time.

1. Hat or tokin (Kasa): The appearance of wearing a hat symbolizes protection from disasters and bad weather, as well as crisis avoidance.

2. Eyes: Large, round eyes symbolize insight and improved foresight in business.

3. Face: A gentle expression represents the power to smooth relationships and enhance harmony among people.

4. Sake Bottle (Tokkuri): Holding a sake bottle symbolizes an increase in wealth and a prosperous, happy life.

5. Passbook (Tsucho): A passbook symbolizes trust and credit, representing the prosperity of a business by gaining the trust of others.

6. Belly: A large belly represents courage and symbolizes the mental fortitude to face challenges without being shaken.

7. Testicles (Kintama): Large testicles symbolize wealth, financial stability, and prosperity in terms of assets and money.

8. Tail: A thick, large tail symbolizes stability, success, and prosperity, representing the ability to achieve goals and flourish.

These eight auspicious symbols are reflected in the Shigaraki-yaki tanuki. Therefore, it is called the “Eight Aspects of Good Fortune.” By incorporating these symbols, the tanuki figurine deepens its meaning as a talisman of good luck, which is why Shigaraki-yaki tanuki is loved and revered as a guardian deity in shops and homes throughout Japan.

Representative examples of tanuki worship

Surprisingly, in Japan, there are shrines dedicated to tanuki (raccoon dogs). And it’s not just a few—there are quite a number of them. These shrines honor tanuki within the realm of folk beliefs, rather than formal Shinto practices. In Shinto, tanuki hold a position among the myriad yaoyorozu no kami (the “thousands and thousands gods”) as guardians of nature, such as mountains, forests, and rice fields.

Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture

As mentioned in the previous section, Shigaraki-yaki tanuki are widely recognized as symbols of prosperity in business. They are often displayed at the entrances of shops and in household gardens across Japan.

Kincho Daimyojin of Tokushima Prefecture

In Awa, Tokushima Prefecture, there is a shrine dedicated to a tanuki known as Kincho Daimyojin. Kincho Tanuki was a legendary tanuki leader who lived to the age of 206 and, after dying in the Awa Tanuki Battle, was posthumously honored with the title of Sho-ichi-i (the highest rank for spirits).

Kincho Tanuki was deified due to his efforts to support the business of a dyer named Moemon, which earned him great reverence. The main shrine dedicated to Kincho can be found as part of the precincts of Hinomine Shrine, where the Kincho Shrine serves as the principal place of worship for this revered tanuki.

Tasaburo Shrines of Kagawa Prefecture

On Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture, there is a shrine called Tasaburo Shrine, which enshrines Tasaburo Tanuki, one of Japan’s three major tanuki figures. Originally from Yashima in Shikoku (present-day Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture), Tasaburo Tanuki was known for his high spiritual powers and mastery of various magical techniques. He is revered for bringing blessings such as prosperity in business, family safety, and good fortune.

Tasaburo Tanuki is also famous for helping Kobo Daishi (the founder of Shingon Buddhism) when he lost in a road. While Minoyama Daimyojin and the Yashima’s Hage Tanuki might be better-known names, Tasaburo Tanuki has a significant place in local folklore.

At Yashimaji Temple, which is the 84th temple in the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, Yashima Tasaburo Tanuki is venerated as part of the temple’s spiritual tradition.

Bunbuku Chagama of Morinji Temple

The story of the Bake-Danuki (shape-shifting tanuki) being saved by a monk and then repaying the favor is a central theme in the Bunbuku Chagama legend. On the grounds of Morinji Temple, many tanuki statues are placed, and the local people continue to worship these figures, praying for prosperity in business, good fortune, and well-being.

In addition to this, there are at least four notable examples that come to mind. Other shrines dedicated to tanuki include Nonomiya Shrine in Kyoto Prefecture and Tanuki Daimyojin in Hokkaido. These shrines are often associated with blessings for business success, wealth, household safety, and the fulfillment of good relationships, making them popular as deities for prosperity. The widespread belief in these tanuki deities highlights their importance as symbols of good fortune in various aspects of life.

Bake-Danuki

Now, not all tanuki are of the noble kind. There are also many mischievous ones. These are often collectively referred to as bake-danuki (shape-shifting tanuki).

Bake-danuki are said to possess supernatural powers, such as the ability to transform into people or objects and the ability to deceive others. Let’s look at a few examples.

Ability of Shape-Shifting

Bake-danuki have the ability to transform into all sorts of things, including humans, animals, and inanimate objects. The aforementioned Bunbuku Chagama is a prime example of this. In many cases, they used this ability to surprise or deceive people.

To Induce Hallucinations

Bake-danuki are not only skilled at shape-shifting but also at creating illusions. They were known to make stones or leaves appear as money, or to make a field seem like a grand estate. As for auditory hallucinations, there is the tale of the tanuki-bayashi (tanuki music). It is said that when walking along a night road, one could hear the sounds of flutes, drums, and bells, leading them to become lost.

Mischief of Bake-Danuki

Bake-danuki are often seen as tricksters who deceive people. The abilities I mentioned earlier might seem charming at first glance. However, in the case of malevolent bake-danuki, there were some that were said to take human lives, making them truly terrifying. That said, when looking at the broader picture, most of their actions seem more like harmless pranks rather than actions driven by ill intent.

The Tanuki That Appeared in Japanese Textbooks

In Japan, first-grade elementary students (around age 6) learn Japanese language, stories, and explanatory texts in their Kokugo (Japanese language) class. In Kokugo, the focus is less on finding the “right” answer and more on how the pupils or others have thought about a subject. The important part is how the pupil has changed or transformed before and after reading a story, explanatory text, or engaging in an activity.

Some Japanese language textbooks feature stories about tanuki. It makes one wonder just how much the Japanese love tanuki. In Tokyo, for example, one might even spot tanuki, and our home was once located along a tanuki’s regular path, making them a familiar presence, which could be why tanuki appear in textbooks.

Two classic tanuki stories found in textbooks are The Tanuki’s Spinning Wheel and Kachi-Kachi Yama. The Tanuki’s Spinning Wheel teaches a lesson about repaying kindness, while Kachi-Kachi Yama is a story of revenge against an evil tanuki. Both of these tales are included in textbooks for children around ages 6 to 8.

Tanuki as a Subculture in Japan

Japan is seen as a country that is tolerant of subcultures. Particularly in the realm of anime and games, conversations about these topics have become much more open compared to the past.

One of the most significant pieces of tanuki-related subculture content is Studio Ghibli’s Pom Poko (Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pom Poko). This film humorously portrays shape-shifting tanuki living in a suburban area facing development issues. It offers a glimpse of tanuki culture from the perspectives of environmental destruction, economics, and human culture.

Next is the Animal Crossing series of games, where tanuki characters are involved in commerce. The concept of tanuki being associated with prosperous business is clearly reflected here.

In manga, tanuki also appear in Shigeru Mizuki’s GeGeGe no Kitaro. In this series, the Inugami-gyobu-danuki leads a vast army of tanuki and attempts to conquer Japan, portraying them as fearsome creatures.

Tanuki are not only part of popular folklore but also enjoy significant popularity in subculture. While the stylized, cute depictions of tanuki are beloved, real tanuki are also quite charming. However, since they might carry fleas or skin diseases, it is important not to touch them carelessly. If you encounter one, avoid feeding it and instead protect it with proper equipment, consulting the local ward office for assistance.

Summary

In Japan, tanuki play a significant role in both popular culture and subculture. From the revered, god-like tanuki to the tanuki featured in first-grade textbooks, their cultural impact on the average Japanese person is much larger than one might imagine.

Furthermore, tanuki have become objects of worship in various parts of Japan. For example, Tasaburo Daimyojin (the deity of the tanuki) is bestowed with the title of “Daimyojin,” indicating a very high divine status. In Shinto and folk beliefs, the title “Daimyojin” signifies that the deity’s spiritual power and virtues are widely recognized. This highlights just how deeply rooted tanuki worship is among the Japanese.

On the other hand, tanuki are also known for their mischievous nature. Tales of tanuki bayashi (tanuki music), tanuki possession, and tanuki fire are examples of the pranks they pull. These antics are not always just amusing; some can be quite malicious. In this sense, tanuki can be seen as a type of yokai (supernatural creature).