Small Japanese ceramic tanuki ornament - TANUKI -

Small Japanese ceramic tanuki ornament - TANUKI - made in Japan

Decorative ornament representing a Tanuki.

~

The bake danuki (化 け 狸?), Better known in the West as tanuki (タ ヌ キ or 狸) is a youkai (spirits) of the forest. Master of disguises, it is said that he can change shape at will. Tanuki are often depicted wearing a straw hat and sake gourd, with a plump belly that they use as a drum.