Throughout history our fears have manifest themselves through myths and legends, across cultures, and ranging from art to music. From the gorgon Medusa to the seductive sorceress Calypso, the secret fears of cultures can be traced through history via stories and legends.

This blog is an exploration of both prevalent and subtle world myths, and how they have aided in the shaping of cultures, values, thoughts, and history.

10th September 2012

Photoset with 12 notes

Raccoon Dogs

(Tanuki giga-e)

Publisher: Kazusa-ya Iwazô

c. 1842

This series of comic prints alludes to the supposed ability of raccoon dogs to voluntarily enlarge their scrotums.  It is listed as 209 in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).  Robinson translated tanuki as “badgers”, but “raccoon dogs” seems to be more correct.  The images are each about 7 by 10 inches (18 by 25 centimeters), a size known as chûban.  Two images were printed on a sheet of paper about 14 by 10 inches (36 by 25 centimeters), a size known as ôban.

View more: http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/raccoon%20Dogs%20%28R209%29.htm & http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/More%20Fun%20with%20Raccoon%20Dogs.htm

Tagged: japanimageasian mythologyfolkloretanukianimalspirityokaishapeshiftertrickstermythology

  1. thatbitchnameddodger reblogged this from smirkingpixiedragons
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  5. carhoz reblogged this from mythsandlegend and added:
    eso es poner huevo
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    Pretty much! Aren’t they adorable
  7. monstersketchfactory reblogged this from smirkingpixiedragons and added:
    ….So what you are saying is…. they just T-Bag everything.
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