The Yokai Files – Tanuki – The myth and the realityThese ceramic Tanukis (Racoon Dogs), often seen outside Japanese cafes and bars thanks to some odd word association, are probably the most recognised images of these creatures. Don’t worry I&…
DISCOVERY CHANNEL yokai featureBeware of the Yokai! an 8 page, seven illustration feature of Japanese mythical creatures appreared in Discovery Channel Magazine June/July 2009 issue. six yokais featured are: Kappa, Tengu, Tanuk
TanukiThe Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), also known as tanuki (狸 or タヌキ) in Japanese, is a subspecies of the raccoon dognative to Japan. Researchers have suggested that they be considered a separate species, N. viverrinus, or that raccoon dogs of Japan could be further divisible into separate subspecies as N. p. procyonoides (hondo-tanuki) and N. p. albus (ezo-tanuki), but both views are controversial As the tanuki, the animal has been significant in Japanese folklore…