supernatural tanuki; monster tanuki
A tanuki (raccoon dog) with magical shapeshifting powers in Japanese folklore, often depicted as mischievous but not necessarily evil.
See also: 狸 (たぬき)
In old tales, stories of supernatural tanuki transforming into humans and surprising villagers often appear.
There is a legend that a monster tanuki lives in the hill behind that shrine.
Compound of 化け (bake, 'transforming, ghostly') + 狸 (tanuki, 'raccoon dog'). The exact historical origin of the supernatural tanuki concept is uncertain, but it is deeply rooted in Japanese folklore.