Shigaraki Tanuki Day

What Is Shigaraki Tanuki Day?

November 8th is "Shigaraki Tanuki Day" in Japan. The Shigaraki Tourism Association in Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture -- famous for Shigaraki ware -- first registered the day in 2008 under the name "Tanuki Take a Day Off," and renamed it in 2012. The date combines November, "the best month" with its two overlapping 1s, and 8 from the "eight lucky virtues" (hassō engi) embodied in Shigaraki's tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines.

A Day Off for the Hardworking Tanuki

All over Japan, Shigaraki ware tanuki stand in front of shops, cheerfully wishing for good business. This day is also meant as a holiday for these hardworking figurines.

• Established by: the Shigaraki Tourism Association (Koka City, Shiga)
• Year: registered in 2008 as "Tanuki Take a Day Off," renamed in 2012
• Why this date: November as "the best month" and 8 from the eight lucky virtues
• How they became famous: in 1951, Emperor Shōwa visited Shigaraki, saw tanuki figurines lining the road and composed a poem about them

The Eight Lucky Virtues in a Tanuki's Figure

Each part of a Shigaraki tanuki carries a meaning: the straw hat for preparing against misfortune, the eyes for seeing clearly and judging well, the smile for friendliness, the sake bottle for building virtue, the account book for trust in business, the big belly for calm and decisiveness, the money pouch for financial luck, and the thick tail for bringing things to a good finish. The character for "eight" written on the tanuki's sake bottle also comes from these virtues.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Look for Shigaraki tanuki standing in front of shops near you
• Apply the eight virtues to your own approach to work
• Read up on the history of Shigaraki ware and sightseeing in Shigaraki
• Give yourself a short break too, just like the tanuki

Smiles and Trust Bring Good Business

Greet people with a smile, value trust and see things through to the end -- the tanuki's eight virtues still apply to work today. On November 8th, thank the tanuki at the shop fronts and recall their lessons.