The tanuki, spirit of the forest in Japanese folklore

Tanuki are spirits of the forest, inspired from raccoon dogs. They’re famous for their power to turn into other shapes. In Japanese mythology, he may appear as a man on the street, sometimes in an izakaya, wearing a straw hat, a flask of sake, and a round belly that he uses as drums. Every part of his body is a symbol of luck and prosperity.

The tanuki is one of the main characters of Isao TAKAHATA’s famous animation film Pompoko.

He is also found as stoneware – shigaraki-yaki – statues all over Japan. The tanuki is meeting you at MIYAKODORI’s booth at Japan Expo Sud.