Image search results - "raccoon" |
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If you like the tanuki raccoon dog, this is the place to be.
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The tanuki have different faces and doing different things, even karaoke. Didn't see any looking like a photographer though.
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Tanuki faces. This one is probably the most typical in the modern age.
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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.
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Sports tanuki
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Mail box
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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.
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Giant tanuki dressed as a Yokozuna grand champion sumo wrestler.
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Inside a large pottery shop.
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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.
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).
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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.
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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.
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.
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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.
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
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The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.
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Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
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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.
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2. The smiling face is for affability...
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.
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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.
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.
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Tanuki sculptures
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,
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Tanuki hibachi
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.
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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
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Inside Shukaku-do Hall.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Daruma with a tanuki face.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.
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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.
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