Shibaemon-tanuki - 芝右衛門狸 - [yokai]

Shibaemon-tanuki - 芝右衛門狸 - [Yokai | Tanuki] 

• About this yokai: This Tanuki was very much into theatre, especially Kabuki & Bunraku dramas. [As the areas posthumous ‘Patron God of Theatre’ he was the definitive "Kabuki Tanuki!"] A resident to Mt. Mikuma, near the city of Sumoto, Awaji prefecture. Everyday, he would transform into an old man and go to the Nakaza theatre in Dotonbori Osaka. He would attend all sorts of plays and other lavish events along with his wife. (It’s often said that their favorites were by the playwright; Takada Izumo of Kanadehon Chûshingura (‘47 Ronin’) fame.)

As said, The tanuki couple would pay entry with leaves disguised as gold or money. Unfortunately, the theater owners soon saw plain leaves in the admissions tray & became very suspicious they decided to put out watchdogs and soon, poor Shibaemon met an untimely demise. [Either bitten by the dogs, while on his way to a performance, in the middle of watching a performance, or while performing himself!! Details vary depending on the version of the legend.] It's said that after he died, Shibeamon remained in human form for nearly a month! (25 days, an impressive transformation, befitting of an actor!)

After his death, its said that theatre attendance notably dropped and people stopped attending the Nakaza as often; and so, soon a rumor spread among staff; "it was a curse from having killed Shibaemon!" So! The staff set up a shrine to him in an unused playhouse & local attendance gradually began to pick up again... Decades later, in 1962; A small shrine was donated by various local Osaka entertainers & was set up near Sumoto Castles ruins in Awaiji Hyogo, where Shibeamon has been properly enshrined & venerated as the ‘Patron God of Arts & Theatre’ ever since! (According to Sumoto castles website.) 

...Later still, in 1999; The Nakaza theatre in Dotonbori officially closed its doors; three years later in September of 2002, the building burnt to the ground! (For the third and final time in its long history) Apparently due to a gas explosion!! (Today. a tall glass office building stands where it once stood.) Fortunately, The shrine to Shibeamon which was previously enshrined at the Nakaza was saved! It was returned to Sumoto in late 2000, a couple years before the fire, where it is still enshrined at the Sumoto Hachiman Shrine, near the Sumomoto castle ruins to this day! 

The location has been considered something of a ‘Power Spot’ for actors and writers alike and many famous people have been known to leave offerings there. - Fittingly, Shibeamon also continues to promote tourism in Sumoto City as the region's Yuruchara mascot! Along with “Danzaburou of Sado” & “Hage of Yashima” Shibeamon is often ranked as one of “The Top Three Legendary Tanuki of Japan."  (Shibeamon is often said to be a rival to Hage-tanuki, & also participated in Awa's Great Tanuki War of 1830–1844.)

• Early Appearances: This legend was perhaps most famously illustrated in the late Edo period collection of ghost stories; "Ehon Hyakku Monogatari" [1841.] –

[image source: Smithsonian. Ehon Hyakku Monogatari volume 3. - ‘Shibeamon’ disguised as an old man, being mauled by guard dogs, (the bushy tail gives him awayl)]

[The mentioned shrine near Sumoto castles ruins.  You can learn more about the shrine at Sumomoto castles website.] 

[Close up of the middle one of three large tanuki statues kept inside.]

[This Sumoto “Yadanuki statue” is part of the area's ‘Eight Tanuki challenge.’ - Around Sumoto city There are 8 other tanuki statues to be found, You can read a lot more about the other tanuki on the ”Sumoto City Revitalization Center - Eight raccoon dogs committee” website. ]

 [The Nakaza theatre 1954 Image source.] 

Famously; Shibeamon also appears as one of the many named Tanuki in Studio Ghibli’s Pompoko!

Incidentally; the style of make-up I illustrated him wearing is called “Kumadori” The style of dramatic pose is called “Genroku Mie!”

[Art sticker & writing by SamKalensky (Yo! That's me!) part of my night parade of 100 Yokai sticker collection!]