Hachiemon

Miroku's Tanuki (Raccoon-Dog) Companion:

The Tanuki is a real animal. It is often confused with the badger (ana-guma) and the racoon (arai-guma). However it is actually an odd species related to dogs that can grow up to nearly two feet in length, with stripes of black fur under its eyes. The Tanuki is native to Japan, southeastern Siberia and Manchuria. However, the Tanuki (Raccoon-Dog) is technically neither a racoon nor a dog.

Hachi is a Mythical Tanuki who has the power to transform into various people/objects. He was accompanying Miroku before Miroku met Kagome and Inuyasha. One of his specialties is to inflate his (ahem) anatomy like a ballon that the others can ride upon.

The Mythical Tanuki, much like the Fox Demon (Kitsune), is another Trickster. This Racoon-like Dog is a henge : a lesser yokai with shape-shifting powers and is associated with Gluttony and Boozing.

Tanuki can transform into any shape (living or otherwise), but often disguise themselves as a monk or a tea kettle to play tricks on humans. They can cast powerful illusions and are known to turn leaves into fake money or horse excrement into an extravagent meal. Like the Kitsune, the Tanuki's powers of illusion are slightly flawed - sharp eyes reveal the true nature.

Tanuki love sake (rice wine), and are often seen with a sake bottle in one hand (usually purchased with fake money made from leaves) and a bill it never pays in the other.