also: たぬきがお
noun
feigned ignorance face; playing dumb expression
Describes a facial expression where someone pretends not to know or understand something, often with a blank or innocent look, likened to a tanuki (raccoon dog). Used in casual, often humorous contexts.
彼はタヌキ顔で「知らない」と言った。
He said 'I don't know' with a feigned-ignorance face.
いたずらをした後、タヌキ顔でとぼけた。
After playing a prank, he played dumb with a tanuki-like expression.
Compound of タヌキ (tanuki, 'raccoon dog') and 顔 (kao, 'face'), referring to the stereotypical blank or innocent expression of a tanuki, often associated with trickery in Japanese folklore.