Today i bought a Tanuki, aka GOOD LUCK Raccoon dog, from Daiso. Been thinking of buying it for quite some time, cos it looks very cute. (And hopefully brings me luck too!) I first seen it from Japanese comics like Rama1/2. I also like the Maneki Neko fortune cat. Maybe will get it later. I googled and found some insights of Taunki.
The tanuki has eight special traits that bring good fortune, possibly created to coincide to the "Hachi" symbol (meaning eight) often found on the sake bottles the statues hold.
The eight traits are:
1) a hat to be ready to protect against trouble or bad weather,
2) big eyes to perceive the environment and help make good decisions,
3) a sake bottle that represents virtue,
4) a big tail that provides steadiness and strength until success is achieved,
5) over-sized testicles that symbolize financial luck (Thats new! Never saw them earlier. Awesome!),
6) a promissory note that represents trust or confidence,
7) a big belly that symbolises bold and calm decisiveness,
8) and a friendly smile
 |
