Tanuki Testicles- Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Weightlifting

Shop Signs

Shelter From Evening Showers

River Fishing

Tan Tan Tanuki no kintama wa,

Kaze mo nai no ni,

Bura bura

(Tan-tan-tanuki's testicles, there isn't even any wind but still go swing-swing-swing.)

These illustrations are made by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798- 1861). He was one of the pioneers of Japanese Ukiyo-e style illustration. In this set, the humorous way of understanding the myth of Tanuki. Tanuki is a japanese folkloral character; a racoon dog with large testicles. The illustrations shows the possible alternative purposes of Tanuki's testicles. The humorous feature of this character is developped in Kamakura Era (1185-1333). In illustrations of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, the exagerated proportions and mimics are clearly seen in humorous perception.