Other Daksinamurti
Distant Touch & Daksinamurti - Tanuki (Sangoma)

From the compilation "Tanuki Tandava"
Bandcamp: goo.gl/iBQ4Ix ,CD: Beatspace: goo.gl/cq1mJz,

A Tanuki (Japanse Raccoon dog) is a supernatural figure and real existing animal, significant in Japanese folklore since ancient times. The legendary being is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a trickster, a spook and a shapeshifter that has the ability to take possession of others. Often when mysterious occurrences appeared it was believed to be the work of the Tanuki. He became subject of various rituals and is associated with many local legends and places all over Japan.
His trickery is legendary: it is said he would block people’s paths at night though creating wall-like structures, fool others through mirages, selling leaves from trees that appear as gold, turning dung into dinner and are capable of producing thunder and rain. On moonlight nights when the weather is clear he drums his belly. Gathering every now and then to dance around shrines and fields under the moon.
Today in modern Japan his image has shifted from a frightening mysterious creature into a generous and often amusing cheerful fellow - often present as ceramic statues outside bars and restaurants.
The modern Tanuki became a cute icon for wealth and prosperity. He is appropriated by Japan’s commercial interest and appears, besides his well-known Shikagari ware statue, in cartoons, comic books and movies. Even in video games such as Nintendo’s Super Mario. His traits like the big belly, large scrotum, sake bottle with promissory note (which he never pays) and straw hat were reinterpreted and co-opted into what is called Tanuki’s Eight Virtues which is supposed to bring good fortune: He often has a bewildered, smiling, often goofy looking expression, wide eyes, a big tummy and a curious looking giant scrotum. The Tanuki transformed from a wild, often feared creature with trickster traits and knowledge of magic to a more domesticated cheerful and beloved being who is beneficial to humans bringing prosperity and success. Either way they have not lost their mystifying love for music. In certain moonlight nights you can sense them dance to the beat of their drums going “ponpoko pon pon“.
Daksinamurti Dez 2014