The Tanuki was a small Family of simple samurai, who mostly came from other Minor Clans and as such were used to a lack of luxuries. Used to the toughening forester lifestyle and avid consumers of sake and all kinds of food, many Tanuki were quite rotund, but it would have been foolish for anyone to interpret it as a sign of softness.
While these minor clans are not part of Rokugan's canonical Clans, they have been a part of Rokugan's history and have been designed by the team responsible for the fourth edition of Legend of the Five Rings. Their status as canon and use are left up to the GM.