Image search results - "raccoon"
sg033-20081013_1694.jpg
sg035-20081013_1690.jpg
If you like the tanuki raccoon dog, this is the place to be.
sg036-20081013_1705.jpg
sg037-20081013_1743.jpg
sg038-20081013_1736.jpg
sg039-20081013_1715.jpg
The tanuki have different faces and doing different things, even karaoke. Didn't see any looking like a photographer though.
sg040-20081013_1709.jpg
Tanuki faces. This one is probably the most typical in the modern age.
sg041-20081013_1719.jpg
sg042-20081013_1738.jpg
sg043-20081013_1734.jpg
sg044-20081013_1722.jpg
sg045-20081013_1742.jpg
sg046-20081013_1737.jpg
sg047-20081013_1712.jpg
sg048-20081013_1707.jpg
Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起).Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
sg049-20081013_1724.jpg
Sports tanuki
sg050-20081013_1763.jpg
sg051-20081013_1762.jpg
Mail box
sg200-IMG_2564.jpg
If you go to Shigaraki by car, you will see large pottery shops along the road catching your eye with giant tanuki and small tanuki armies.
sg201-IMG_2566.jpg
Giant tanuki dressed as a Yokozuna grand champion sumo wrestler.
sg202-IMG_2562.jpg
Inside a large pottery shop.
tt400-20120528_0543.jpg
Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.
tt401-20120528_0546.jpg
Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).
tt402-20120528_0544.jpg
A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.
tt403-20120528_0545.jpg
The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.
tt404-20120528_0547.jpg
Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.
tt405-20120528_0548.jpg
Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.
tt406-20120528_0549.jpg
The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.
tt407-20120528_0550.jpg
tt408-20120528_0551.jpg
Morinji's tourist souvenir shops sell mainly tanuki statues made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.
tt409-20120528_0554.jpg
It felt like I was in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.
tt413-20120528_0555.jpg
The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.
tt414-20120528_0556.jpg
Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.
tt415-20120528_0557.jpg
Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.
tt416-20120528_0685.jpg
A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
tt417-20120528_0686.jpg
tt418-20120528_0559.jpg
tt419-20120528_0691.jpg
Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
tt420-20120528_0562.jpg
In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.
tt421-20120528_0563.jpg
Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
tt422-20120528_0564.jpg
Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
tt423-20120528_0566.jpg
The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.
tt424-20120528_0565.jpg
Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.
tt425-20120528_0567.jpg
Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
tt426-20120528_0569.jpg
tt427-20120528_0571.jpg
tt428-20120528_0572.jpg
Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
tt429-20120528_0573.jpg
2. The smiling face is for affability...
tt430-20120528_0574.jpg
3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...
tt431-20120528_0669.jpg
4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...
tt432-20120528_0670.jpg
5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...
tt433-20120528_0673.jpg
6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...
tt434-20120528_0675.jpg
7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...
tt435-20120528_0677.jpg
8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
tt436-20120528_0681.jpg
Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
tt437-20120528_0682.jpg
tt438-20120528_0570.jpg
tt439-20120528_0578.jpg
A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.
tt449-20120528_0647.jpg
Morinji temple's Hondo main hall can be entered through the reception window on the right. 300 yen admission charged (150 yen for kids). Open 9 am-4 pm. Closed Thu.
tt457-20120528_0588.jpg
Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.
tt458-20120528_0589.jpg
Tanuki sculptures
tt459-20120528_0590.jpg
Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.
tt460-20120528_0592.jpg
Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,
tt461-20120528_0595.jpg
Tanuki hibachi
tt462-20120528_0594.jpg
tt467-20120528_0608.jpg
Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
tt468-20120528_0609.jpg
Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
tt469-20120528_0599.jpg
The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
tt470-20120528_0600.jpg
The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
tt471-20120528_0605.jpg
About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.
tt475-20120528_0614.jpg
Painting of a tanuki chagama.
tt477-20120528_0620.jpg
tt478-20120528_0626.jpg
Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂
tt479-20120528_0636.jpg
Inside Shukaku-do Hall.
tt480-20120528_0628.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt481-20120528_0629.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt482-20120528_0632.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt483-20120528_0631.jpg
Daruma with a tanuki face.
tt484-20120528_0633.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt485-20120528_0634.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt486-20120528_0635.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
tt487-20120528_0639.jpg
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."
tt501-20120528_0667.jpg
On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.
tt502-20120528_0666.jpg
Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple.
tt503-20120528_0668.jpg
Also see my photos of Shigaraki tanuki in Shiga Prefecture here.
     
85 files on 1 page(s)