The Nine-Tailed Fox

The Nine-Tailed Fox, also known by other names such as the White-Faced Golden-Nine-Tailed Fox, Golden-Nine-Tailed Fox, or simply Nine-Tailed Fox, is a great yokai that traveled from India to China and then to Japan. The number 9 has traditionally been considered complete in Feng Shui, symbolizing luck and prosperity. Additionally, the Nine-Tailed Fox is sometimes regarded as an auspicious creature. However, it is equally true that it carries a reputation for being terrifying and fearsome. In Japanese.

The Roots of the Nine-Tailed Fox

Regarding the origin of the nine-tailed fox, Mizuki Sigeru stated the following.

In ancient times, when the world was in chaos and resembled a sea of mud, the ominous energy rising from it condensed and formed a mystical fox. Over the years, it became immortal, its entire body covered in golden fur, and its long tail split into nine. This is known as the Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox.

It is terrifying to think that it has existed since the very dawn of the world.

The Nine-Tailed Fox in Literature

The origins of the Nine-Tailed Fox can be traced back to the Shan Hai Jing, a text from around the 4th to 3rd century BCE. This ancient Chinese work is a compilation of myths, legends, and geographic descriptions.

In the Shan Hai Jing, there is no direct reference to a fox with nine tails. However, it does mention “foxes with many tails” or “animals with many tails,” which may have served as the foundation for the concept of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Within the text, foxes are portrayed as mystical and powerful creatures, likely due to their perceived intelligence and unique characteristics that set them apart from other animals. They are often regarded as animals connected to the divine or supernatural.

The Shan Hai Jing also includes mentions of other multi-tailed animals, further contributing to the association with the Nine-Tailed Fox.

There is also a theory suggesting that the Nine-Tailed Fox originated from the West, with “the West” referring to India in the context of ancient China. It’s possible that the story of the Nine-Tailed Fox traveled from India to China along with the spread of Buddhism. From there, the tale likely continued its journey to Japan, evolving into the form familiar in Japanese mythology.

The Nine-Tailed Fox as Daji (Shang Dynasty)

In ancient China, there was a dynasty called the Shang Dynasty, known as one of the earliest Chinese dynasties. Its last emperor was King Zhou (紂王), who is famously associated with Daji (妲己), a woman described as a beauty capable of toppling nations. However, Daji was no ordinary woman—she was said to be a fox spirit, over a thousand years old, who devoured one of the king’s concubines and took her place.

Daji was known for her sadistic tendencies, taking pleasure in acts of torture and cruelty. To win her favor, King Zhou introduced new forms of torture and implemented tyrannical policies, leading to his eventual downfall.

One infamous concept associated with Daji is the term “酒池蟇盆” (Shuchi Taibon). The “蟇盆” refers to pits or jars filled with venomous creatures like snakes or scorpions. Daji enjoyed forcing people to fight each other, sentencing the losers to the deadly 蟇盆 and allowing the winners to bathe in a pool of wine (酒池). However, even the victors would ultimately meet their end by drowning in the wine pool. This level of cruelty vividly illustrates Daji’s merciless and sadistic nature.

In addition to these acts, Daji devised other forms of torture, such as forcing criminals to walk across a greased, red-hot bronze pillar like a bridge. Although the promise was that those who succeeded would be pardoned, the task was nearly impossible, showcasing her unrelenting cruelty.

Under her influence, King Zhou executed both innocent and guilty subjects for his and Daji’s amusement, while imposing oppressive rule over the people. As a result, the hearts of his subjects gradually turned away from him. Eventually, the Shang Dynasty was overthrown by King Wu (武王) of the Zhou Dynasty.

After the fall of the Shang, it is said that Daji transformed back into her true form as the Nine-Tailed Fox and fled to India, continuing her legacy as a fearsome and cunning being in myths and folklore.

The Nine-Tailed Fox as Lady Huayang (India)

In India, the Nine-Tailed Fox is said to have taken the form of Lady Huayang (華陽婦人), who was by the side of Prince Hanzoku (班足太子) of the kingdom of Magadha (耶竭陀). Here too, the fox displayed its cruel nature, orchestrating massacres that involved the execution of thousands of people.

One day, Prince Hanzoku discovered a fox in the palace garden and shot it with an arrow. Soon after, Lady Huayang fell ill, with a wound appearing on her head. When the prince examined her closely, her true identity as a fox was revealed. Upon being exposed, Lady Huayang quickly fled to the northern skies, vanishing without a trace.

This tale represents the Nine-Tailed Fox’s appearance in Indian legends, continuing its legacy of deception and brutality across different cultures. After that, it is believed that the nine-tailed fox moved back to China.

The Nine-Tailed Fox as Tamamo-no-Mae (Japan)

The nine-tailed fox is believed to have traveled to Japan by disguising itself as a young girl and boarding the ship of Kibi no Makibi, who had been sent to China as part of the Kentoshi (Japanese envoys to Tang China). Despite the timeline being inconsistent, the fox made its way to Japan and transformed into an abandoned child. A samurai took the child in and raised her, and due to her unparalleled beauty and talents, she eventually became a court lady serving Emperor Toba (1103–1156).

While serving Emperor Toba, she became known as Tamamo-no-Mae. Her extraordinary beauty, skill in singing and playing instruments, and vast knowledge earned her the emperor’s favor and affection. However, after she became a close companion of the emperor, Emperor Toba fell mysteriously ill and began ignoring the advice of his retainers.

The onmyoji (court diviner) Abe no Yasuchika—said to be a descendant of Abe no Seimei—saw through Tamamo-no-Mae’s deception and revealed her true identity. Exposed, Tamamo-no-Mae reverted to her form as the nine-tailed fox and fled.

She escaped to the Nasu Plain in Shimotsuke Province (modern-day Tochigi Prefecture), where she was pursued by Kazusa-no-suke Hirotsune and Miura-no-suke Yoshizumi. They cornered her and shot her with arrows, at which point she transformed into a massive stone. This stone, known as the Sesshō-seki (Killing Stone), was said to emit poisonous energy that killed any living creature that approached it.

Later, a monk named Genno heard this story from local villagers. When he chanted Buddhist sutras over the stone, it shattered into three pieces and scattered. One of these fragments remained in the Nasu area and became known as the legendary Sesshō-seki.

The Sessho-seki (Killing Stone) was split in two on March 5, 2023. It is a mystery whether this means the Nine-Tailed Fox has revived, or if the stone’s spiritual power has diminished to the point that it couldn’t maintain its form.

The Sessho-seki (Killing Stone) still emits hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases, posing a danger to both humans and animals even today.

Summary

The Nine-Tailed Fox was considered a divine beast that brought good fortune and prosperity in Feng Shui. In fact, in the “Shan Hai Jing”, it is referred to as a mystical creature. However, due to powerful figures like Daji, Huayang, and Tamamo-no-Mae, the nine-tailed fox has evolved into the image of the most fearsome spiritual fox. Now that the Killing Stone has been split, the question arises: how will the Nine-Tailed Fox move or act from this point onward?