Japanese Mythology

Masaki Kitsune

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Masaki Fox
Category: Fox

The Myth

Masaki Kitsune is a powerful fox spirit who appears in the Japanese epic Nansō Satomi Hakkenden. Originally a female fox that lived for centuries near Shinooka Castle, she became indebted to the family of Kawagoi Moriyuki after his kind wife helped raise her cubs. When a treacherous retainer killed her mate, the fox sought revenge by disguising herself as a bandit and frightening the man and his lover into a river, where they drowned. The woman was Masaki, the wet nurse of Moriyuki’s young son, Takatsugu. Feeling pity for the child who had lost his nurse, the fox assumed Masaki’s appearance and secretly raised Takatsugu for more than two years. One day, however, she accidentally revealed her true animal face while sleeping. The shocked child cried out that his nurse’s face had turned into that of a puppy, and the fox fled before her identity could be discovered by others.

After leaving Takatsugu, the fox settled in the plains of Ueno and resolved to devote the rest of her existence to helping humanity. She disguised herself as an elderly woman and opened a teahouse near Shinobazu Pond, where she offered travellers shelter from the heat and cold. She donated her earnings to orphans, persuaded people preparing to commit suicide to abandon their plans, and provided food, clothing, and shelter to those driven to despair by poverty. Over approximately twenty years, she saved 999 lives. Through these acts of charity, she accumulated extraordinary spiritual merit. When she reached one thousand years of age, her fur turned white and her single tail divided into nine, transforming her into a divine nine-tailed fox with the power of clairvoyance.

Masaki Kitsune eventually sensed that Takatsugu was in grave danger. Using her supernatural powers, she transformed herself into Ebira Ōtoji, the mother of a deceased noblewoman, and appeared at the execution ground where Takatsugu was about to be killed for a crime he had not committed. Her attendants and horses were also illusions created by the fox. She denounced the corrupt retainers responsible for his condemnation, restored his confiscated swords, and enabled him to escape. Afterward, Takatsugu and the warrior Inue Shinbei encountered the elderly woman from the teahouse again and discovered that she was the same mysterious being who had rescued Takatsugu. Masaki revealed her true identity, explained that the sorceress Myōchin was actually a disguised tanuki, and gave the two warriors guidance for their coming struggle.

Having completed her charitable mission and repaid the kindness once shown to her cubs, Masaki announced that she had received a heavenly decree permitting her to leave the mortal world. She declared that she would ascend to heaven as a fox-dragon, a divine transformation that demonstrated the sacred nature of the nine-tailed fox. After bidding farewell to Takatsugu and Shinbei, she plunged into Shinobazu Pond. Clouds gathered, rain poured down, and a magnificent white dragon appeared in the sky amid a violent storm. The teahouse was battered by the wind, but the tree sheltering the two warriors protected them from the storm. When the weather finally cleared, the dragon had vanished into the heavens. Masaki Kitsune’s story presents the nine-tailed fox not as an inherently evil monster, but as a benevolent divine being who earns transformation through compassion, self-sacrifice, and virtuous deeds.

Sources

“正木狐 (Masaki Kitsune).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1072119352.html

Hyakujō Yako

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Hyakujō’s Wild Fox, Wild Fox Zen
Category: Fox

The Myth

Hyakujō Yako is a wild fox spirit whose story originates in a famous Zen Buddhist tale about the monk Hyakujō Huaihai. The spirit appears as an old man who regularly attends the monk’s sermons, always leaving when the other listeners depart. One day, however, the old man remains behind after everyone else has gone. When Hyakujō asks who he is, the stranger reveals that he is not human but a former head priest who lived on the mountain during the time of the ancient Buddha Kāśyapa.

The old man explains that, long ago, a young monk asked him whether someone who had attained enlightenment remained subject to the law of cause and effect. The priest answered that an enlightened person did not fall under cause and effect. Because of this incorrect answer, he was condemned to be reborn as a wild fox for five hundred lifetimes. Desperate to escape his animal existence, he begs Hyakujō to answer the same question. The monk replies that an enlightened person does not obscure cause and effect. Upon hearing this answer, the old man immediately attains enlightenment and is freed from his long punishment. He tells Hyakujō that his fox body lies in a cave behind the temple and asks for a funeral befitting a monk before disappearing.

Hyakujō later leads his disciples to the cave, where they discover the corpse of an ordinary wild fox. He arranges for the body to be cremated as he would that of a deceased monk. That evening, he explains the strange events to his disciples. When one asks what would have happened if the former priest had never made his original mistake, Hyakujō invites him closer. The disciple responds by striking his master across the cheek, prompting Hyakujō to laugh and declare that there is another red-bearded Daruma among them.

The story became associated with the idea of wild fox Zen, a term for the mistaken belief that one has attained enlightenment without truly understanding it. The former priest’s transformation into a fox illustrates the consequences of misunderstanding cause and effect, while his eventual liberation demonstrates the importance of genuine insight. His five hundred lifetimes as a wild fox end only when he finally understands the distinction between denying cause and effect and failing to obscure it.

Sources

“野狐 (Yakujō Yako).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1064835229.html

Ivarasambe

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Iwarasambe
Category: Fox

The Myth

Ivarasambe is a frightening demon from Ainu mythology that appears in the form of a small animal resembling a fox or dog. It has a black body, long ears, and two exceptionally long lower fangs that protrude from its mouth, giving it a monstrous appearance. Despite its animal-like size and shape, Ivarasambe is a supernatural being associated with the mountainous wilderness.

Ivarasambe is described as a demon that descends onto the grass growing along mountain slopes. Its appearance among the mountain grasses marks it as a dangerous supernatural presence in the natural world. With its dark body, elongated ears, and enormous protruding fangs, it combines the familiar shape of a fox or dog with the terrifying features of a demon.

Sources

“Ivarasambe.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/ivarasambe

Nogitsune

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Yako, Yakan, 野狐, のぎつね
Category: Fox

The Myth

Nogitsune are wild fox spirits from Japanese mythology, known for their cunning, shapeshifting abilities, and mischievous nature. Unlike the sacred Zenko, which serve the gods, Nogitsune are low-ranking fox spirits that possess no divine soul and act independently of the deities. They inhabit forests, fields, and other wild places, usually hiding from humans during the day and venturing into inhabited areas at night. They have a keen sense of danger and fear bright light, bladed weapons, and dogs. A Nogitsune disguised as a human may accidentally reveal its true nature when startled by a barking dog.

These fox spirits are notorious thieves and tricksters. They sneak into houses to steal wax candles, lamp oil, lacquer, alcohol, and fried tofu. They can transform themselves into human beings to deceive unsuspecting people, frighten travellers, and steal from their victims. To change its shape, a Nogitsune typically requires a magical object to focus its powers, often a bone taken from a cow or horse. Although they generally avoid direct confrontation, they enjoy confusing humans and exploiting their foolishness.

Nogitsune are also associated with kitsunetsuki, the possession of humans by fox spirits. They may possess people to punish those they dislike or simply to amuse themselves, with women being particularly frequent targets. Some accounts claim that Nogitsune feed on a woman’s life force and blood. Nevertheless, these spirits are not always hostile. Stories tell of wild foxes repaying kindness, helping people who have treated them well, and even marrying men while disguised as beautiful women. Such romances often end tragically when the fox’s true identity is discovered. Nogitsune can also be asked to protect objects or perform favours, but they are unreliable servants, frequently forgetting their promises and wandering away.

The name Yakan has a connection to magical beasts described in Chinese Buddhist traditions. These creatures were originally associated with jackals, scavengers that frequented burial grounds and fed on carrion. Because jackals were unfamiliar in China, they were sometimes understood as animals resembling foxes, martens, or wild dogs. When Buddhist traditions reached Japan, Yakan became associated with foxes and eventually synonymous with Nogitsune. As a result, the sinister qualities attributed to these scavenging beasts became attached to Japan’s wild fox spirits, reinforcing their reputation as cunning and potentially dangerous supernatural tricksters.

Sources

“野狐 (Yakujō Yako).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1064835229.html

Zenko

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Reiko, Inari Kitsune, Osakitōge
Category: Fox

The Myth

Zenko are benevolent fox spirits from Japanese mythology who serve the gods and perform good deeds. They inhabit forests, fields, mountains, and shrines, appearing as sacred foxes associated with the divine. Unlike wild and malicious fox spirits, Zenko are virtuous beings who devote themselves to serving higher powers and maintaining their standing within the supernatural world. They are especially connected to Inari, the Shinto deity, and Dakini, a Buddhist goddess, acting as messengers between the gods and humanity.

Zenko possess a complex society that resembles human civilization, complete with families, tribes, social ranks, and distinctions awarded for faithful service. One classification divides them into five groups according to their fur color: Tenko, the heavenly foxes; Kinko, the golden foxes; Ginko, the silver foxes; Byakko, the white foxes; and Kokuko, the black foxes. Another classification organizes them into three ranks: Tenko, the heavenly foxes; Kūko, the sky foxes; and Kiko, the spirit foxes. Different shrines may also establish their own ranks and degrees, which Zenko can earn through their devoted service.

The defining characteristic of Zenko is their commitment to virtue and spiritual advancement. They strive to improve themselves and gain higher standing within fox society, unlike Yako, the wild foxes, who are associated with wicked and harmful behaviour. Although Zenko may occasionally play tricks or pranks on humans, they do not deliberately inflict serious harm or kill people. Their role is to assist the gods, carry messages between humans and the kami, and help maintain the connection between the mortal and divine worlds. Some Zenko may themselves be worshipped at shrines as sacred beings or regarded as manifestations of higher deities.

Sources

“Zenko.” Yokai.com: The Database of Japanese Folklore. https://yokai.com/zenko/

Kinko

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Kingitsune, 金狐, きんこ
Category: Fox

The Myth

Kinko are sacred fox spirits from Japanese mythology, distinguished by their beautiful golden fur. They inhabit forests, fields, mountains, temples, and shrines, serving the goddess Dakini. As pure and holy supernatural beings, they are associated with Buddhism and act as divine foxes connected to the spiritual world.

Kinko symbolize the sun and are paired with their counterparts, the Ginko, who represent the moon. Together, these two kinds of fox spirits embody the complementary powers of the sun and moon and are believed to work alongside one another. Both belong to the five families of Zenko, the benevolent fox spirits of Japanese mythology.

Unlike the Byakko and Kokuko, which are associated with the god Inari and Shinto traditions, Kinko and Ginko are connected to the goddess Dakini and Buddhism. Their golden and silvery lunar associations distinguish them as sacred messengers and spiritual beings, representing the harmony between the sun and moon.

Sources

“Kinko (Gold).” Yokai.com: The Database of Japanese Folklore. https://yokai.com/kinko-gold/

Te Dake ga Sasori

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 手だけがサソリ
Category: Forest Dweller

The Myth

Te Dake ga Sasori is a strange humanoid yokai depicted as an elderly man standing among felled trees. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of enormous, scorpion-like pincers in place of ordinary hands. These sharp, powerful claws are capable of cutting through even the trunks of great trees, making the creature a terrifying presence in the forest.

The yokai is said to use its immense pincers as deadly weapons, cutting down trees with ease and attacking people by severing their heads. Its appearance combines the form of an old man with the formidable claws of a giant scorpion, transforming an otherwise human-like figure into a dangerous monster. Those who encounter it risk falling victim to its razor-sharp pincers, which possess enough strength to fell even the largest trees.

Sources

“手だけがサソリ [て‐] (Te Dake ga Sasori).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). September 28, 2013. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010654438.html

Ushiuchibo

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Gyugyubo, Gyugyunyudo, Ushikaibo, Ox-Hit Man
Category: Forest Dweller

The Myth

Ushiuchibo is a mysterious yokai from the northern part of Tokushima Prefecture, feared for attacking cattle and horses. Its true appearance is unknown, although it has sometimes been glimpsed as a black, raccoon-like beast. The creature is elusive and difficult to catch, appearing around villages and farm buildings under cover of darkness. Its presence brings misfortune to livestock, making it a feared supernatural threat to farmers and their animals.

Ushiuchibo is said to invade stables and cattle sheds at night, injuring the animals inside. Even a slight wound inflicted by the creature is believed to be fatal, and cattle and horses attacked by it inevitably die. When livestock began dying one after another in the villages of Itano, the elders identified Ushiuchibo as the culprit, and guards were placed around the animal shelters. Although the guards occasionally spotted a suspicious black beast, they were never able to capture it, and its true identity remained a mystery.

To protect their livestock, people developed a ritual intended to destroy Ushiuchibo. After the Tanabata Star Festival, children would construct a temporary hut for the creature using materials collected from local households. On the fourteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the hut would be burned as a charm to kill the yokai. Any household that refused to contribute materials was targeted by the children, who chanted a curse about driving away the Ox-Hit Man and threw a burnt eggplant at the house along with the hut. It was believed that a household struck by the eggplant would lose its cattle and horses within three days. Through this strange ritual, villagers sought to drive away the creature and protect their animals from its deadly attacks.

Sources

“牛打坊 (Ushiuchibō).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1079440823.html

Yarikechō

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Yarimocho, Yarikenaga
Category: Object

The Myth

Yarikechō is a strange yokai associated with the keyari, a ceremonial spear decorated with feathers near its tip. Such spears were carried at the front of daimyō processions and festivals, where spear-bearers displayed their skill and helped lead the procession. Yarikechō takes the form of a supernatural being whose head is the pointed tip of a spear. It holds a hammer in both hands, raising it as though preparing to strike.

The yokai is depicted standing beside a cluster of peculiar mushrooms with human faces. In its illustration, Yarikechō appears to be raising its hammer toward a smaller, crawling yokai at its feet, as if preparing to attack it. Its unusual combination of a spear-shaped head and raised hammer gives it the appearance of a weapon transformed into a supernatural warrior.

Yarikechō is associated with the strange powers of weapons that have passed through the hands of great warriors. Its accompanying inscription wonders whether the spear might once have been touched by Japan’s greatest warrior, suggesting that its supernatural strangeness is a sign of exceptional martial skill. The yokai embodies the transformation of a ceremonial weapon into a mysterious being, revealing the uncanny potential hidden within objects associated with warriors and their processions.

Sources

“牛打坊 (Ushiuchibō).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1079440823.html

Jami

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Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 邪魅
Category: Forest Dweller

The Myth

Jami is a wicked supernatural creature depicted as a beast with an indistinct lower body. It is described as a type of Chimi, a demon associated with the mysterious forces of mountains and forests. Its appearance is strange and difficult to define, reflecting its connection to the dangerous and unpredictable powers of the natural world. Jami is considered malevolent, a demon with an evil nature that brings harm to those who encounter it.

Jami is associated with Chimi and Moryo, supernatural beings connected to mountains, rivers, trees, and stones. Together, these spirits represent the many strange creatures and transformations that inhabit the natural world. Jami belongs to this broader family of nature demons, but it is distinguished by its wicked disposition and its unusual beast-like form.

Some later depictions portray Jami as a possessing spirit capable of taking control of people, particularly those who have incurred the anger of others. Other accounts describe it as a large boar that can bewitch its victims, controlling their minds and forcing them to do its bidding. In these tales, Jami may appear as a beautiful woman when it wishes to deceive someone, concealing its monstrous nature behind an attractive appearance. Its true form, however, is that of a fearsome beast, and those who fall under its influence risk losing control of their own actions.

Sources

“邪魅 [じゃみ] (Jami).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). August 1, 2019. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1074589119.html