In the mid-1840s, ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) created a number of woodblock prints showing legendary tanuki (raccoon dogs) using their humorously large scrota in creative ways.



River fishing



Shelter from evening showers



Rokurokubi (long-necked monster) disguise



Net fishing



Making dashi (soup stock)



Weightlifting



Catfish mallet



Coming and going



Making mochi



Visiting Konpira, the guardian deity of seafaring



Boy's festival



Cause of chronic abdominal pain



Shichifukujin (the Seven Lucky Gods) disguise



Fortune-telling tent



Shop signs



River crossing



Towboat



Seine fishing

See more of Kuniyoshi's tanuki images at Kuniyoshi Project (1, 2).