Tanuki

Tanuki (狸（たぬき）, "Raccoon dog") are Japanese raccoon dogs. In Japanese folklore, tanuki is considered the rivals of kitsune. They are masters of disguise. The only known tanuki from the series is Miroku's friend and assistant Hachiemon. He can shapeshift by placing a leaf on top of his head.

More tanuki appear in Hanyō no Yashahime. Mamidaira Island is populated by tanuki yōkai, and Takechiyo and Kikunosuke belong to the island's ruling clan. Their retainers are all dressed like samurai. Before and after the reign of Shōgen Mamiana, they are equipped with katanas; during the reign of the rogue tanuki, they are equipped with wooden clubs, if armed at all.

Known Tanuki

• Hachiemon
• Hachiemon's grandfather †
• Takechiyo
• Kikunosuke
• Shōgen Mamiana
• Full Moon Raccoon Dog †

Trivia

• A recurring gag throughout the series is that the kitsune Shippō is constantly being mistaken for a tanuki. Also in Episode 93, a weasel yōkai is also mistakenly identified by others as a tanuki before he would correct them.

References

Species Yōkai Badger yōkai  •  Bakeitachi  •  Bat yōkai  •  Bear yōkai  •  Bird yōkai (Demon birds)  •  Boar yōkai  •  Bull yōkai  •  Horse yōkai  •  Kappa  •  Kawauso  •  Lizard yōkai  •  Monkey yōkai  •  Oni  •  Oyster yōkai  •  Qilin yōkai  •  Rat yōkai (Fire-rat)  •  Root yōkai  •  Shinidamachū  •  Tree yōkai  •  Turtle yōkai (Meiōjū) Canines Dog yōkai  •  Kitsune  •  Tanuki  •  Wild dog yōkai  •  Wolf yōkai Felines Cat yōkai  •  Bakeneko  •  Nekomata  •  Leopard cat yōkai  •  Tiger yōkai  •  Wildcat yōkai Insects Flea yōkai  •  Mantis yōkai  •  Moth yōkai (Yōkai moth)  •  Ōmukade  •  Parasite  •  Saimyōshō  •  Spider yōkai (Kumogashira)  •  Steel wasps Other Human  •  Hanyō  •  Ghost  •  Specter  •  Dragon  •  Kami  •  Demigod  •  Shikigami  •  Kugutsu