A Very Tanuki Christmas!

So, some of you know about tanuki statues– (here’s a brief description)- you see them in front of Japanese restaurants and bars. They’re kinda gimmicky in a charming way.

I have a friend that I’ve known for over 30 years who traded me this fellow. He’s had it since he was stationed in Japan during the mid-60s and (as far as I can tell) is stoneware from Shigaraki (ESE from Kyoto).

I think this one’s a relatively handsome example (about 19″ tall) and not quite as ‘pie-eyed’ and cutesy as some touristy tanuki statues (there are female ones, anime ones, hello kitty ones, etc.).

I hope that he (obviously) will bestow luck upon his new namesake business.