Letting it All Hang Out

Tanuki is one of Japan's most endearing characters. Beloved by both adults and children alike, this furry little guy can be seen just about everywhere you look: at the hot springs, in front of post offices, on the shelves of gift shops, and on the pages of comic books. He is based on a rare and undeniably cute species of animal known as the Japanese Raccoon Dog, which is native only to Japan, making his national icon status more than fully cemented among the population. In fact, one could easily compare him both in appearance and cultural significance to our Mickey Mouse or Russia's Cheburashka. But unlike his Russian and American counterparts, who are known for their unusually large ears, the Tanuki's oversized trademark is a much different appendage: namely, his testicles.

Sometimes making up as much as 40% of his little brown body, Tanuki's giant set of balls is difficult even for the most naive observer not to notice. They are oval-shaped in a brown scrotum and usually hang to the ground. What's even more astounding, though, is the wide range of supernatural things he can do with his giant spheres of life. Tanuki has been known to swing them around as he pleases, use them as wings to fly great distances, and provide humans who rub them with good fortune. One can often hear Japanese children chanting "tan-tan-tanuki's balls, there isn't even any wind and they still go swing-swing-swing." The old song "Do Your Ears Hang Low," when applied to the appropriate body part, paints an even clearer picture of Tanuki's fantastic abilities.

The prominence of this well-endowed creature in Japanese folklore seems to play to two sides of the national identity. First, it echoes the peculiarities of Japanese comedy, which relies heavily on fart jokes and potty humor to elicit laughter. Old children's folk songs often talk of caricatured giant penises and their exploits. "Hard Gay," a leather bound, loud and proud homosexual who roams the streets of big cities thrusting his genitals in unsuspecting pedestrians' faces is a kind of national hero. At the same time, there is an apparent comfort among the Japanese over the depiction of the male sexual organ: something absent from societies founded on principles of puritanism. Parents take their young children, both male and female, into the public baths without any reservations. Japan's Kinamara Matsuri, or Penis Festival (and yes, there is a corresponding Vagina Festival), features parades with giant iron and clay genitalia being hoisted upon able men and women's shoulders. While it may stir up controversy among western travelers, the Japanese tend to see their casual attitude towards human anatomy as an essential part of their culture.

The influence of the genitals on daily life in Japan is apparent, and even I can't avoid falling in line. The five man rock group of which I am the lead vocalist here in Toyama, for example, is called "O'pinpin", an obvious word play on the Japanese ochinchin meaning wiener or pee pee. Such a rude little moniker would seem to ruin any ambitions of becoming a family friendly, teen idol band a la Jonas Brothers. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Any worries over telling my students or superiors that I'm in a band essentially called "Ding Dong" or "Shlong" are quickly quelled by the ubiquitous reaction of a chuckle and a request to see us live.

And so I unabashedly rub the great sack of fortune hanging below Tanuki's mighty, round belly. It hasn't made me rich or unusually lucky, but it's good for a laugh.


Learn more about Tanuki: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tanuki.shtml

Learn more about Japan's Penis Festival
http://sonletay.vox.com/library/post/pictures-of-japans-iron-penis-festival-kanamara-matsuri.html