tanuki
noun
ta·nu·ki tä-ˈnü-kē 
: the fur of a raccoon dog
also : raccoon dog
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web And in grand homes and fancy offices, a more easily read calligraphic work may be displayed as a conversation starter — its short, clear lines executed with a firm, resilient tanuki or horsehair brush. 
New York Times, 3 June 2021 Many Japanese woodblock prints depict a tanuki kneading its testes into the shape of various objects, such as raincoats or fishing nets. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2020 In 2016, British outlets ran a story about a man in Blackpool who was concerned people would mistake his tanuki for a feral raccoon. Elaina Zachos, National Geographic, 16 May 2018 The miniature houses with front stoops guarded by potted plants and tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines had a stillness about them. Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2017 Raccoon Dog A raccoon dog, or tanuki, named Tanu burst to fame on the Internet after his owner tweeted photos of his pet. National Geographic, 22 Feb. 2016 Many different animals can be raised in captivity for the fur trade: minks, foxes, chinchillas, and raccoon dogs (also known as tanuki or Asiatic raccoons). National Geographic, 17 Aug. 2016 The miniature houses with front stoops guarded by potted plants and tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines had a stillness about them. Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2017 Camera traps captured images of a bison, 21 boars, nine badgers, 26 gray wolves, 60 raccoon dogs (an Asian species also called a tanuki), and 10 red foxes. National Geographic, 18 Apr. 2016 See More
New York Times, 3 June 2021 Many Japanese woodblock prints depict a tanuki kneading its testes into the shape of various objects, such as raincoats or fishing nets. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2020 In 2016, British outlets ran a story about a man in Blackpool who was concerned people would mistake his tanuki for a feral raccoon. Elaina Zachos, National Geographic, 16 May 2018 The miniature houses with front stoops guarded by potted plants and tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines had a stillness about them. Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2017 Raccoon Dog A raccoon dog, or tanuki, named Tanu burst to fame on the Internet after his owner tweeted photos of his pet. National Geographic, 22 Feb. 2016 Many different animals can be raised in captivity for the fur trade: minks, foxes, chinchillas, and raccoon dogs (also known as tanuki or Asiatic raccoons). National Geographic, 17 Aug. 2016 The miniature houses with front stoops guarded by potted plants and tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines had a stillness about them. Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2017 Camera traps captured images of a bison, 21 boars, nine badgers, 26 gray wolves, 60 raccoon dogs (an Asian species also called a tanuki), and 10 red foxes. National Geographic, 18 Apr. 2016 See More Word History
Etymology
Japanese, raccoon dog
First Known Use
circa 1929, in the meaning defined above