Tanukitsuki

What it is

Tanukitsuki refers to the state of being possessed by a tanuki spirit. In ancient Japanese shamanism, this is viewed as a real psychic phenomenon. The tanuki is a creature known as the Japanese raccoon dog. When it enters a person, it causes severe physical and mental changes. The victim often becomes extremely hungry, craving specific foods like red bean rice. The spirit is said to steal nutrition, leaving the body weak while the stomach swells. Victims may also show violent or sexual misconduct, speak nonsense, or crawl on all fours.

Where it comes from

The belief is widespread in Japanese folklore, with strong roots in Shikoku and Sado Island. Legends also appear in Aomori, Iwate, and Okayama prefectures. Possession usually starts from a grudge. Humans might have played pranks on tanuki or destroyed their nests. Another cause involves tanuki possessing food offerings at festivals. They enter people through these shared meals. Some stories say absent-minded people or women buying beautiful kimonos are targeted. Rarely, a lineage holds a tanuki spirit, passed down through families in places like Takamatsu and Mimasaka.

How it is done

Exorcism is called Tanuki-otoshi, or dropping the tanuki. People seek help from Onmyōji or Yamabushi ascetics. Methods vary by region. One way is making a vow with the spirit through chanting. Another is offering rice to the tanuki's home. Ascetics might burn a Goma fire to let a medium accept the demands. Others use smoke from cedar leaves or chili peppers. Drums, blank gunshots, and even electric shocks in the late Shōwa era were used. Tanuki are considered stubborn, making them hard to remove compared to fox spirits.

Tools and materials

The ritual uses items tied to the tanuki's desires. Sekihan, or azuki bean rice, is central because the spirit craves it. Offerings of fish and alcohol are also common. In some exorcisms, green cedar leaves or chili peppers create smoke to drive the spirit out. Musical instruments like drums are used to disturb the entity. Blank gunshots serve a similar purpose. In modern times, medical electricity was sometimes applied. Shrines dedicated to tanuki exist in Shikoku to appease them and prevent possession.

What it is for

The belief explains unexplained illnesses and strange behaviors. Families seek exorcism when a member acts violently or eats excessively. The goal is to remove the spirit and restore health. Sometimes, the purpose is preventative. By enshrining tanuki as gods, communities hope they will no longer harm people. In rare cases, a tamed tanuki is used to possess an enemy. This shows the belief is used both for healing and, historically, for inflicting harm on rivals.

Who does it

Yamabushi, or mountain ascetics, are the primary exorcists. They are also called Hōin-sama. Onmyōji, practitioners of esoteric arts, are also sought. These specialists chant sutras and perform rituals. They act as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. In some legends, a person who has tamed an old tanuki can control it. However, most practitioners are trained religious figures. They diagnose the possession and negotiate with the spirit to leave the victim.

Peoples and places

The belief is specific to Japan. It is most prominent in Shikoku and Sado Island. Legends are also found in northern regions like Aomori and Iwate. In Okayama, specific family lineages are associated with tanuki spirits. The Asakusa tale shows how urban development affected the belief. Tanuki lost habitats and became aggressive. Different regions have unique names for the condition, such as mujina or tomakko. This variation highlights local interpretations of the same core phenomenon.

What people believe

Tanukitsuki stems from a worldview where spirits hold grudges. Tanuki are seen as powerful entities that can punish humans. They are not always benevolent; they can be vengeful. The spirit steals life force, leading to emaciation despite a swollen belly. Stories describe the tanuki appearing physically, leaving fur or gifts. Some tales end with the spirit taking the victim away, showing a link to death. Unlike foxes, tanuki are viewed as stupid and stubborn. This makes them difficult to deal with once they have attached themselves.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Historical records like Mikikigusa document these events as strange tales. Modern scholars view these stories as part of folklore. The 1979 murder case shows the danger of literal belief. A prayer healer diagnosed possession, leading to a fatal beating. Critics note the healer did not treat the man. This incident highlights how superstition can lead to violence. Anthropologists study these beliefs to understand past mentalities. They see them as explanations for disease and social conflict before modern medicine.

Questions people ask about Tanukitsuki

Good reading and sources

• Tanukitsuki on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data