elizabeth: tutorial

Tanuki (タヌキ or 狸) is often mistakenly translated as raccoon or badger, but is in fact a raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a distinct canid species native to Japan. Tanuki have been part of Japanese myth since ancient times. The mythical tanuki is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded.


If they give you trouble, you are fully expected to pummel their perplexing endowments. Failure to respond with (albeit goodnatured) violence will be read as a tacit approval of continued harassment, at their 'hands.' As you can see, though manly in physical manifestation, the tanuki will daintily carry a parasol in certain meteorologicalistic circumstances, a disparaging comment about which probably was the impetus for this gruesome encounter. A prompt "Boy howdy!, you got some monstrous ones there, m'fiend!" will solve any misunderstanding quite quickly (especially when combined with a goodnatured pummeling).


When not picking fights, tanuki can be found peacefully fishing in pairs,


or large groups.


If you have the foresight to procure some of their favorite moisturizer as a gift, you may be blessed with one of the most remarkably luxurious and enjoyable ferry rides known to us at this point in history (no smoking, for the love of god).

So, Elizabeth, please take this under advisement when traversing bodies of water, or stolling on a rainy day, while you're in Japan. As they say, "A tanuki can be as much fun as a frog in a glass of milk, provided you know your way around a top shelf bottle of personal humidifying ointment." Good afternoon, and good luck!

*Note: these prints are circa 1880's!!!!*

For more information, please see:
Studio Ghibli film, Pom Poko
Super Mario Bros. 3