as for japan... (and tanukis)

they're still pretty much the same. At least sleepy-eyed Tokushima. Except for a tanuki festival in the works in the city square. None of my students seem to know the story associated with this festival, just that there was once a famous tanuki who resided in Tokushima that was originally from somewhere else. As for why he was famous, what he was famous for, and how a tanuki can be famous, i am still at a loss. But he must have done something right, because the whole city will celebrate him soon.
Here are some photos of tanuki in action (ridiculously called raccoon-dog in English... i think i may have put some information on them up already, but what the hey)
http://www.ingo-bartussek.de/Photos/RACCOON-DOG/raccoon-dog_1_10/raccoon-dog_1_10.html

It is a merry beast, looking much like a raccoon but having little relation, being a canine. During mating season, its testicles swell to a gargantuan size. Most tanuki statues, which sit outside many Japanese restaurants, exhibit the swollen testicles, and if you're lucky, even a penis to boot! Check em out!
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tanuki.shtml

If this blog has been too obscene, i apologize. It is not my fault, it's this danged Japanese culture, and the fact that tanuki never wear pants, something i cannot unfortunately help. I have asked students many times why tanuki refuse to wear pants, and have not gotten a straight answer yet. I believe it is because no pants can be made to accomodate such massive testicles.