In Japanese folklore, the tanuki is a trickster spirit in the form of a local animal known as the Japanese raccoon dog.
It is said to have an enormous, um..."gold sack" that it can shapeshift into an assortment of different forms.
Hence, in order to showcase this crazy feature (and also to add modesty), I always draw tanuki spirits wearing enormous loincloths to cover up their massive, um..."jewelry bags".
In keeping with the culture they came from, their loincloths are designed to resemble sumo briefs.
In Nintendo's Mario video games, one classic power-up Mario uses is the Tanooki Suit.
It is modeled after tanuki stories and myths.
Imagine how embarrassed Mario must be to find out that a mythical creature with an unnaturally large..."coin pouch" inspired his classic power-up!
MAMMA MIA!!
I will never think of Tanooki Mario the same way again!