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The (also called the or the ) is a Japanese legend that takes place in the Awa Province (now Tokushima Prefecture). The legend is about a great war between two ''tanuki ''powers. == Synopsis == The legend claims that in 1837 in the city of Higaino (now Komatsushima), a crowd of people attempted to drive out Tanuki , who was living in a large tree. A dyer named Moemon (茂右衛門), who is passing by, takes pity on Kinchō and pays the people of Higaino to free him. In gratitude for this kindness, Kinchō later comes to Moemon’s shop in the form of a boy named Mankichi, to serve Moemon as a guardian angel; Mankichi trains him and provides him with sound advice whenever he has doubts about how to proceed. In time, Moemon's store becomes highly profitable and popular and Mankichi gains a good reputation. A few years later, Kinchō/Mankichi decide to raise his rank in society, so he and his follower became apprentices to the bake-danuki, , who lived in Tsuda bay, Myōdō District. Rokuemon was the leader of the Tanukis in Shikoku and was known as a trickster who often disguised himself as a human in order to deceive people and steal their possessions. Aware of Mankichi's reputation, Rokuemon agrees to train him and is impressed with his skills. Soon Mankichi surpassed both Taka and Rokuemon's son Senjū Tarō and Rokuemon began to fear him. Noticing that Mankichi had fallen in love with his daughter Koyasu-hime (小安姫), Rokuemon to ally with him through marriage, making Kinchō his successor, and guardian of Senjū Tarō. However, Kinchō/ Mankichi felt obliged to return to Moemon so that he could continue repaying his debt. He therefore declined Rokumon's offer and prepared to depart for Higaino. However, Rokuemon's henchmen were concerned that if Mankichi left, he would eventually become their enemy. Rokuemon secretly sends one hundred tanukis to attack Mankichi. Warned by Koyasu, Mankichi and Taka ambush the tanukis. Overconfident in their abilities, the pair are defeated. Taka is killed, and Mankichi barely escapes to Higaino. Mankichi gathers his Tanuki allies to retaliate, while Taka's sons rush to avenge their father's death: Tanukis who do not approve of Rokuemon's cruel ways also join the army. In Tsuda, Koyasu criticizes her father for his surprise attack on Mankichi and declares that she could not live without him. Rokuemon sneers at her, so she kills herself with a knife. This increases Rokuemon's hatred of Mankichi and his for her father. Along the bank of Katsuura river, Mankichi/Kinchō lead his army of more than 600 tanukis against Rokuemon's army of a similar size. Two great tanuki powers begin an epic battle, commonly referred to as the "Awa Tanuki Gassen". In the lower regions of the Katsuura River, the battle continues for three days and three nights. Unlike Mankichi, who fights hotly in this battle of revenge, Rokuemon retreats behind his castle's walls. Initially, Mankichi's army cannot break through the tough defence, but finally they succeed. At the end of a fierce, blood-stained battle inside the castle, Mankichi slays Rokuemon, in turn suffering a mortal wound from Rokuemon's sword. He musters all his strength in a desperate effort to return to Higaino and express his gratitude to Moemon; he succeeds but dies shortly after. The war does not end yet, however; Rokuemon's son, Senjū Tarō, rushes for help to the veteran Yashima no Hage-tanuki, who re-groups Rokuemon's defeated army and attacks Higaino. The Mankichi army naturally resists, thus resuming the battle. Yashima no Hage-tanuki finally steps in to mediate, and the war ends. Later, Moemon, touched by Mankichi/Kinchō's loyalty, promotes him to the highest rank of Daimyōjin. Kinchō Daimyōjin is worshipped in the Kinchō Jinja in Chūden and Komatsushima. Worshippers have deep faith in him, and statues of tanukis from other locations are kept there and are venerated and decorated. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Awa Tanuki Gassen」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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