Database: Legendary White Tanuki

A painting of a legendary tanuki, shaking coins from its white fur.

A deeply ingrained part of Japanese folklore, tanuki are often portrayed as tricksters and shapeshifters. They are seen as joyful, mischievous, and sometimes silly creatures, but always keen for a good meal or a strong drink. In the folk tale Bunbuku Chagama, a half-kettle tanuki creature showers wealth on a man that treats him kindly. But watch out before befriending one; in other stories, the tanuki's magic turns pebbles and leaves into gold, only for them to turn back to detritus when it comes time for you to settle the bill.