ムジナ

noun

badger

In everyday Japanese, ムジナ often refers to the Japanese badger (Meles anakuma), but historically the term was ambiguous and could also mean raccoon dog or other similar animals. Cross-referenced with 穴熊 (badger) for this sense.

See also: アナグマ

• ムジナは夜や行こう性せいで、穴あなを掘ほって暮くらしている。

  The badger is nocturnal and lives in burrows.

noun

raccoon dog

Historically, ムジナ was also used for the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), though modern Japanese usually uses タヌキ for that animal. This sense is now rare and mostly found in older texts or regional usage.

See also: 狸

• 昔むかし話ばなしでは、ムジナが化ばけて出でるという話はなしがある。

  In old tales, there are stories of raccoon dogs shapeshifting.