r/BeAmazed • u/L0kivich • 17h ago

Animal Japanese raccoon dogs called Tanuki.

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6.4k Upvotes

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10

u/DodoGizmo 15h ago

Why are they always depicted with massive balls in Japan?

19

u/DataPhreak 13h ago

Because their scrotum is extremely flexible and durable. It was used to flatten gold leaf because it was one of the few materials flexible enough but also durable enough that was available in Japan. This is why they are also associated with luck, mischieviousness, and other magical properties. Really worth a deep dive.

2

u/Ok-Syllabub-6619 11h ago

Wait are you a tanuki? Giving mixed signals here, hammering gold with balls seems harsh, then saying its worth a deep dive... hmm are you a kinky tanuki?

2

u/DataPhreak 10h ago

The balls aren't inside when they hammer it.