Image Of The Week #43

(Taken in Yugawara - 14th March, 2007)

Tanuki - raccoon dog - are known in Japan for their over-sized testicles. It apparently became a running joke for artists in the 18oos* (see picture below). The statues can be seen all over Japan outside of Izakayas.

They are placed there as a testament of the verility of the men drinking inside AND to bring fortune to the establishment; the latter because their skins were used to process gold.

(woodblock by Yoshitoshi, 1881)

*oh, how they must have laughed.