foxes and tanuki
Literal compound referring to foxes and tanuki (raccoon dogs) together, often in folklore or nature contexts.
Foxes and tanuki often appear in old tales.
sly person; deceiver
Figurative use likening a cunning or deceitful person to a fox or tanuki; somewhat literary or old-fashioned.
He is a man just like a sly fox.
tricksters; deceivers; fey creatures; monsters; goblins
Compound of 狐 (fox) and 狸 (tanuki/raccoon dog). The figurative sense arises from the traditional association of both animals with trickery in Japanese folklore.