Tanuki

:This article deals with tanuki in folklore and popular culture; see Raccoon Dog for more information on the wild animal.

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Tanuki (??? or ?) 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.

Related Topics:
Raccoon - Badger - Raccoon dog - Shapeshifting

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