It had been reported that Tanuki fell from the sky using his scrotum as a parachute.
—Tom Robbins, Villa Incognito
Shaded sepia
Bipedal bandit
Bushy chase
Big bouncing balls
Pendulous paunch
Youkai icon
Kin to kitsune
Debaucherous ninja
Shapeshifter
Picaresque player
For human games
Saucy cane rapper
Visiting trickster
Deals the cards
Laid back fun
Belly hand drum
From the forest
At your door
Youkai are creatures from Japanese folklore.
Kitsune are fox spirits.
Information about the tanuki taken from here.
I first learned of the tanuki after one featured prominently in Tom Robbins’ book, Villa Incognito. It is featured in Nintendo’s Mario games where a “tanooki suit” may be worn. Tanuki also star in the 1994 Studio Ghibli film, “Pom Poko.”
Mish is today’s host for dVerse. Mish says:
Find a way to incorporate the word “drum” or a derivative of the word into your quadrille. Your poem can be any form and must be exactly 44 words, not including the title.
Update: After I read Hank’s poem on Knuckles, the Hedgehog from Sonic the Hedgehog, he reminded me of the poem I wrote for another dVerse prompt, on the tanuki. Here is a repost for this animal Poetics prompt.
Tao Talk 
I like how these creatures come from the forest “at your door”.
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Thank you, Frank :)
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Fun poem.
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Thank you, Sadje :)
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You’re welcome 😉
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fantastical characters lend fun …
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:) Yes they do.
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Well that was interesting..haha, but seriously interesting as I’d not heard of this folklore. I like the way the last lines flow after all the terse descriptions. Nice.
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Thank you, Mish :)
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Wow, so exotic and mysterious and educating. Your knowledge of Asian art is impressive.
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I know a smidge of art but I’m very good at googling ;) The tanuki I’ve known about for awhile.
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Wow- I learned something new! Nicely done Lisa.
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Thank you, Linda :)
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This is absolutely delightful :D
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Thank you, Sanaa :)
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Interesting legend. Enjoyed
Happy Monday
Much💖love
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Glad you enjoyed it, Gillena, thanks!
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You always have a unique perspective…I love how you entertain and teach at the same time. (K)
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K, thanks. I read Mish’ intro to the prompt and remembered the tanuki from Tom’s book. You may laugh at this, but at times I’m feeling particularly happy, I play my belly like a drum.
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I remember doing that as a child. It’s not nearly taut enough now…
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This one made me smile! I would have liked to have seen him come floating down!!
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Dwight, click on the Pom-Poko link and you’ll see it!
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I will check it out!!
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Very cute video! I wonder who came up with such a far out idea!
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Very interesting…
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Thank you :)
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This is all new to me. I’m still trying to work out how Tanuki ‘fell from the sky using his scrotum as a parachute’! ‘Big bouncing balls’ made me think of the old AC/DC song. 😊 I must find out more about those creatures from Japanese folklore.
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I found a really good article at Atlas Obscura about them.
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Love these lines, sitting with this a while, structure, sounds evoked, mystical, folk, humour.
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Happy to hear you enjoy the poem, as it was much fun to write.
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I can feel that, delightful and creative.
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<3
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I love your take on the prompt Lisa, especially the presence of a ‘drum from the forest
at your door’ 🙂
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Xenia, thank you. I imagine it would be hard to ignore one if it came to visit.
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I love the mythology you introduce us to.
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:)
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What a fascinating story… Wonderfully done, Lisa.
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If you like this tidbit, check out Tom’s book. The tanuki is the star :)
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:)
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What a hoot this is – and some of the lines ‘debaucherous ninja’ – are gems.
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LOL thanks, Peter. In my reading it talks about how the tanuki can mold parts of their anatomy for any utilitarian use, which inspired that one :)
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Fantastic creatures. Thanks for the introduction–though I think I’d rather not have them at my door. 😏
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Yes, they are, and better left to their deep forest homes. I think it is when humans start invading and messing with their turf that they pay a visit.
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Creative lines Lisa
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Thanks, Max! I love every aspect of the tanuki and I can see why Tom Robbins would make him a central character in his book. From that woodcut in 1800’s I see the Japanese also find them endearing.
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It’s really cool all you got out of it.
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Thanks for sharing I had not heard of them before…not sure if I would like to encounter one though 😂
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You’re welcome, AJ. I hadn’t either until reading one of Tom Robbins’ books. And then Super Mario had a Tanuki Suit he used to fly :)
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This was wonderful Lisa! :) Big bouncing balls in a parachute scrotum — eho could ask for more… ;) I noticed that Glenn commented here. I miss that cantankerous son of a bitch. I love all the poets that frequent dVerse, but this community has a huge hole in it with Glenn gone. Dude was so very real and engagingly unique.
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I miss him too :(
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