Tanuki statues are traditional Japanese figures that represent the tanuki, a creature from Japanese folklore often depicted as a shape-shifting trickster. These statues are commonly found outside homes, businesses, and temples, symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and protection. Typically made of ceramic or stone, tanuki statues are characterized by their large bellies, playful expressions, and distinctive features like a straw hat and a sake bottle. They are often portrayed in a sitting or standing position, inviting good luck and happiness to those who pass by.