Decorative Tanuki 狸 Statue, Shōwa Period, Japan.

Cheerful Tanuki statue of Shigaraki Pottery, 1980s, Shōwa period, Japan.

This Tanuki statue, made from Shigaraki clay, represents a mythical creature from Japanese folklore.

Dimensions: height 25 cm, width 15 cm, depth 12 cm.

The Tanuki is a mischievous Japanese raccoon dog with magical powers, characterized by a big belly, an enlarged scrotum, and a bottle of sake.

In Japan, Tanuki statues are placed at the entrances of homes, shops, and restaurants for luck, protection, and prosperity.

Tanuki belong to the yokai, mythical creatures known for their mischievousness, mastery of disguise, and shapeshifting, but they are also easily tricked.