Tanuki 1 ~ Fukujushin

 

Japanese Name:  福壽神
Romanized Reading: Fukujushin
English Translation: Long Life and Happiness Deity
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Yanagimori Jinja
Deity: Luck
Tanuki Count: 6
First Visit: 3-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Chiyoda
Address: 2 Chome-25-1 Kanda Sudachō, Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to 101-0041

A rare Tanuki shrine. Tanuki are the counterparts of foxes in Japan. Also known as racoon dogs (and frequently translated as simply "racoon" in western translations of Japanese media), they are so closely connected with foxes in Japanese culture, that there's a two-kanji word for "foxes and Tanuki": Kori (狐狸).

The Tanuki's most striking feature in statues is that they are usually depicted with large testicles, symbolizing fertility. Female Tanuki statues are rare, but the ones I have encountered feature large breasts to convey the same symbolism. Like foxes, Tanuki are said to represent fortune and fertility, but unlike foxes who can mostly be found at shrines, Tanuki are most often found in stores and private households.