Furry beast - Kegawaju

Japanese: 毛皮獣 - けがわじゅう

A general term for mammals that use fur. Fur is generally used to protect against the cold, so it includes many species that live in cold regions and have fur with excellent insulating properties, such as the arctic fox, stoat, and chinchilla, as well as semi-aquatic and aquatic species that have waterproof fur (this type of fur also provides excellent protection from the cold), such as sea otters, nutrias, beavers, and seals. Aside from their practical value, many wild animals, especially cats, have been used as fur animals because of their beautiful markings, which are used for fashion and as symbols of authority.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

毛皮(ファーfur)を利用する哺乳類の総称。一般に防寒衣料として毛皮が使われることから，ホッキョクギツネ，オコジョ，チンチラなどの寒冷地に生息する断熱性能に優れた毛皮をもつ種が多く含まれるほか，ラッコ，カワウソ，ヌートリア，ビーバー，アザラシなどの防水性能に優れた毛皮(このタイプの毛皮は，防寒性能にも優れる)をもつ，半水生ないし水生の種も含まれる。実用上の価値は別として，美しい斑紋をファッションとして利用し，また，権威の象徴とするために，多くの猛獣，とくにネコ科動物が毛皮獣として利用されてきた。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Foreign official - Gekan

>>: Fur - fur