Animals & Culture

Animals figure importantly in the culture of Japan. Chinese classical literature is the source of many of the beliefs embraced by the Japanese about various animals. In the protohistoric and ancient periods, the Japanese elite adopted from the Chinese such traditional animal symbols as cranes (for happiness and longevity) and turtles (for a faithful return).

Certain animals have special places in the folklore of Japan. The racoon dog, often seen near villages, has traditionally been thought of as a weird creature with supernatural powers. In stories of old it often bewitches people, although its tricks are more frightening than harmful. In fact, it is usually depicted in figurines as a rather comical animal with a big belly and huge testicles, carrying a sake bottle.

The fox has also been considered an animal with supernatural powers, and a messenger of Inari Myojin, the deity of agriculture. Foxes are thought to be clever and tricky. In the olden days they were said to cast a spell on people traveling at night. Sometimes, it was said, foxes would even possess people and make them insane. Belief in Inari still exists today, and the fox is worshipped at Inari shrines throughout the country.

Buddhist teachings have influenced people's attitudes toward animals. Until late in the nineteenth century, for example, almost no Japanese would slaughter a 4-legged animal, relying instead on fish for their animal protein. Then there is the sexagenary cycle of the ancient Chinese calendrical system, in which 1 animal (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and boar) represents each sub cycle of 12 years. The year 1998 is the year of the tiger, and the next year, the rabbit. Even in today's Japan, virtually everyone associates his or her birth year with a particular animal-saying, for example, "I was born in the year of the horse" - and it is assumed that one's character and fortune in life are influenced by the animal representative of their birth year.