Tanuki no hara tsuzumi
One of these colorfully named tesujis, tanuki no hara tsuzumi is usually translated as the raccoon-dog drums his belly. The tanuki (Nyctereutes procyonoides) plays a part in Far Eastern mythology, a prankster and shape-shifter not unlike the fox, but less malevolent. Statues depicting the mythical form of the tanuki are often seen outside of temples and restaurants in Japan. Real tanuki resemble something of a cross between a raccoon and a fox.
The Chinese go term for the same tesuji (黄莺扑蝶) translates into English as the yellow oriole captures the butterfly.
The Tesuji
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/13/c93440b444deee681fd0bdae1624b6c1.png)
Black to win the capturing race (Gokyo Shumyo, Section 4, Problem 76)
On the photo right - final position of Honinbo Satsugen Meijin win in Castle Game against Inoue Shuntatsu Inseki
This problem from Gokyo Shumyo illustrates the basic pattern.
Here is the tesuji. Critically, the marked black stones have three liberties. Any fewer and the tesuji would not work. After
, a and b are miai as are c and d. White can even capture the two stones on the edge, but will never get more than two liberties.
Other Examples
![[Diagram]](../../diagrams/33/8766f1d159438dc6263deab7248bf159.png)
SegoeTesujiDictionary - Oki section
This example is from Segoe Tesuji Dictionary. There are many problems requiring this tesuji in that collection.
Knowledge of this tesuji is also a prerequisite for playing and responding to this hamete. Black must decide now between answering at a or b. See 4463 enclosure second-line side attachment, trick play chapter.
Examples from games
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qsefthuko 9d vs. sususu 8d (KGS), move 102
-
Honinbo Satsugen vs. Inoue Shuntatsu Inseki, move 134 - 1773 castle game
- Rin Kaiho 9p (Honorary Tengen) vs. Kataoka Satoshi 9p - 45th Japanese Judan, preliminary round, 2006-02-16
Synonyms
Tanuki no hara tsuzumi is sometimes mistranslated as patting the raccoon's belly. A tanuki (raccoon-dog) is a canid, related to wolves and foxes; it is not a raccoon.