Tanuki Yokai

**Tanuki Yokai** are a variation of the Canine Yokai who are known for their shapeshifting abilities.

## Physical Appearance

Tanuki Yokai are typically in a shape of a raccoon dog. They have brown fur with black stripes all over it. But they can walk perfectly upright like a person. Usually seen wearing leaves on their heads or somewhere else in their bodies.

## Description

Also called Bake-Danuki, these yokai are said to be mischievous and joyous, but can also gullible and absentminded. The tanuki may use a magical leaf that can give them the power to metamorphosis. They also love sake. They would drink it during parties and other celebrations. Like the kitsune, they are masters of shapeshifting and disguise and are mischievous creatures taking all sorts of disguises to deceive or annoy travelers or to get such things as saké, food, or women to the point of turning itself into inanimate objects, such as the tea-kettle.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Tanuki Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Archetype:Lightning Bruiser: Enhanced Level
* Canine Physiology
	+ Enhanced Bite
	+ Enhanced Durability
	+ Enhanced Endurance
	+ Enhanced Senses
		- Enhanced Hearing
		- Enhanced Smell
		- Night Vision
	+ Enhanced Speed
	+ Enhanced Stamina
	+ Enhanced Strength
	+ Environmental Adaptation
	+ Predator Instinct
	+ Temperature Regulation
* Hibernation
* Possession
* Shapeshifting
* Sleep Paralysis Inducement
* Transmutation

### Associations

* Alcohol Empowerment
* Shinto Deity Physiology
* Trickster
* Yokai Physiology

## Pop Culture

Tanuki predominantly appears in video games, movies and anime. For example, in the Studio Ghibli movie directed by Isao Takahata "*Pom Poko*". Mario can become a Tanuki in "*Super Mario Bros 3".* In TMNT 2012, a group of Tanuki appeared. At first they were pranking the Turtles and Usagi. But they later on rescue them from Jorogumo. Other tanuki characters include Michiru from BNA: Brand New Animal, One-Tailed Shukaku from Naruto, Pato from One Piece, Rioichi Cooper from Sly Cooper, Tanya Keys from Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, Tom Nook from Animal Crossing and Kohachi Inugami from Kemono Jihan.

## Variations

### Canine Yokai

Raccoon dogs are closely related to true foxes.

## Life in the Hidden World

Tanuki Yokai are one of the most common species in the Hidden World. They rival the kitsune These shy nocturnal animals can be found on all of the Japanese isles, and tanuki statues are popular decorations in homes and shops. They are beloved not only for their cuteness, but also for the tales of mischief and trickery associated with them. Notoriously found of alcohol and parties, they can become at times violent or unpleasant if drunk or deprived of their favorite drinks. Unlike kitsune, tanuki usually have their own agenda and are prone causing chaos and confusion amongst humans and, sometimes, other youkai. Tanuki Yokai and Kitsune Yokai have a long rivalry with each other. They never trust one another as both can use their shapeshifting abilities against each other. The most intelligent and magically adept tanuki have been known to adopt human names and practices, such as gambling, drinking, even administration and religious activities. Many go through their whole lives living among humans without ever being detected. In human form, tanuki have proven to be as corruptible as the humans they emulate, and some tanuki have well-earned reputations as thieves, drunkards, liars, and cheats.

## Symbolism

Known colloquially as kinbukuro (金袋, money bags), the tanuki scrotum was a symbol of good luck and wealth, rather than sexual potency. This seemingly odd association with money had a tangible historical basis, linked to goldsmiths in the artisan city of Kanazawa, who once used tanuki hides in the process of creating thin sheets of gold leaf.