I do love the tricksters...and I have read an excellent book devoted to the study of these fabulous beasts, and how they are a part of us all. It is..."Trickster Makes This World: Mischeif, Myth, and Art" by Lewis Hyde. Inspiring section devoted to the function of the trickster as the representation of appetite. They even mention Amo No Azume, however brief, that made me all a twitter. There were whole parts in Anansi Boys that made me think of this book, and whole parts of Hyde's book that made me think of Neil. Neato, kismet!