Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Konotsukitokkou, Tokkuo, Tokkuodori
Category: Fox, Bird
The Myth
Tsukitokko is a frightening supernatural creature associated with the story of Oishi Hyoroku, a young samurai from Satsuma who set out to defeat a fox known for tricking people and shaving their heads. The fox used its supernatural powers to transform into various monsters, confronting Hyoroku with a succession of terrifying apparitions. Exhausted and terrified, Hyoroku eventually wished aloud for dawn to arrive, hoping that the horrors of the night would soon end.
A monstrous figure suddenly appeared before him, declaring that it was Tsukitokko and questioning what he would do when morning came. The creature emerged with such force that it seemed ready to pounce at any moment. Its two eyes shone ominously, its beak was pointed, and wings extended from both sides of its body. Startled by this new apparition, Hyoroku leapt up and fled in panic, heedless of the thorns beneath his feet.
Tsukitokko is thought to be another disguise assumed by the mischievous fox. Its appearance resembles a gigantic owl, connecting it to the expression Konotsukitokkou, used in the Satsuma region to represent the sound of an owl hooting. The owl itself was also known as a tokkuo or tokkuodori. Through its imposing, birdlike form, Tsukitokko became one of the many monstrous disguises that terrified Hyoroku during his ill-fated fox hunt.
Sources
“月徳狐 (Tsukitokko).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010654382.html