Jun Kaneko’s Tanuki figures are his thoughtful and contemporary interpretation of the Japanese folklore characters. He was initially drawn to creating Tanuki sculptures while visiting Shigaraki, a town which has one of the oldest ceramic traditions in Japan. The Tanuki became the town mascot and an important symbol of their business.
Having traveled to the region several times to work with local ceramic institutions, Jun Kaneko drew inspiration from Shigaraki’s tanuki statues to create his own version of the beloved shapeshifter. His Tanukis stand over 6 feet tall, their forms covered with the artist’s vibrant colors and patterns. Kaneko’s whimsical humor shines through with these pieces, and each one is a unique celebration of a treasured Japanese icon.
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Sketch with design for a Tanuki
2011
Graphite, ink and colored pencil on paper.
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Jun amending a Tanuki design at his Omaha studio.
2011
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun amending a Tanuki design at his Omaha studio.
2011
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun drawing build schematics for Tanukis.
2012
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun and a freshly constructed Tanuki.
2012
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun and a freshly constructed Tanuki.
2012
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun glazes a Tanuki in his Omaha studio.
2013
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Jun working at his Omaha studio.
2013
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun placing glaze dots on a Tanuki.
2013
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun glazes a Tanuki at his Omaha studio.
2012
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Jun considers the placement of a Tanuki on its ceramic base, c.
2012
Photo: Jun Kaneko Studio
Jun standing next to an unfired, glazed Tanuki.
2012
Photo: Ree Kaneko
Untitled, Tanuki
2022
Hand built glazed ceramics, 74 x 37 x 28 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2022
Hand built glazed ceramics, 73 x 32.5 x 28.5 inches. Collection of the Ree & Jun Kaneko Foundation, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2022
Hand built glazed ceramics, 76 x 35 x 28 inches. Collection of the Ree & Jun Kaneko Foundation, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2012
Hand built glazed ceramics, 71.5 x 32 x 23 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2012
Hand built glazed ceramics, 74 x 31 x 27.5 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 76 x 36 x 27.5 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 77 x 34.5 x 27.5 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 77 x 34.5 x 27.5 inches. Collection of the Ree & Jun Kaneko Foundation, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 77 x 32.75 x 28 inches. Private collection.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 72.5 x 32.5 x 28.5 inches. Collection of the Henry Doory Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 73 x 33 x 28.5 inches. Private collection.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 76 x 33 x 27.5 inches. Collection of the Henry Doory Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 75 x 34.5 x 27.5 inches. Private collection.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 75 x 34.5 x 28 inches. Collection of the Henry Doory Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2013
Hand built glazed ceramics, 76.5 x 33 x 27.5 inches. Collection of the Henry Doory Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2014
Hand built glazed ceramics, 76 x 32 x 27.75 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2014
Hand built glazed ceramics, 75 x 28 x 27.75 inches. Private collection.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2014
Hand built glazed ceramics, 75.75 x 33 x 27.5 inches. Private collection.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2014
Hand built glazed ceramics, 74 x 34 x 27.5 inches.
Photo: Colin Conces
Untitled, Tanuki
2014
Hand built glazed ceramics, 75.5 x 32 x 27.5 inches. Collection of the Yanney Heritage Park Foundation, Kearny, NE, USA.
Photo: Colin Conces