The Nine-Tailed Fox: A Legendary Spirit in Japanese Mythology and Pop Culture

A creature of beauty and danger. A spirit that crosses borders and centuries. A legend that refuses to die.

The nine-tailed fox—with its flowing tails, mystical powers, and seductive allure—has haunted the myths and imaginations of Asia for over a thousand years. Originating in ancient China, this shape-shifting fox spirit found new life in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan—where it evolved into one of the country’s most iconic and chilling figures: Tamamo-no-Mae.

From imperial courts to volcanic stones, from sacred rituals to pop culture phenomena, the story of the nine-tailed fox continues to transform, enchant, and terrify. In this article, we explore the many faces of this elusive spirit—across cultures, across time, and even across reality and fiction.

Origins Across Asia: A Shared Myth

The legend of the nine-tailed fox is not unique to Japan—it has deep roots in Chinese mythology, and its influence spread widely across East and Southeast Asia.

Nine-Tailed Fox in Ancient China

In ancient China, the nine-tailed fox (jiuweihu) was considered a spiritual or divine creature with great power. It appears in early dynastic records as a symbol of peace and prosperity, said to only appear during the reign of wise and virtuous rulers. In some stories, it was even regarded as a heavenly beast sent from the celestial realm.

The fox spirit is associated with prominent mythological figures such as:

Yu the Great, the legendary founder of the Xia dynasty, whose marriage is linked to a fox spirit.
Daji, a beautiful woman possessed by a malevolent fox spirit, whose seduction of King Zhou led to the downfall of the Shang dynasty.

The nine-tailed fox in Chinese tradition represents a complex duality—both auspicious and dangerous, divine yet capable of deception.

Legends Beyond China: Korea, Vietnam, and Japan

As the legend spread beyond China, it evolved differently across various cultures:

In Korea, the nine-tailed fox became known as the gumiho. Often depicted as a malevolent creature, the gumiho transforms into a beautiful woman to seduce and consume the hearts or livers of men. It reflects darker themes of transformation, desire, and punishment.
In Vietnam, one tale speaks of a fearsome nine-tailed fox dwelling in West Lake (Ho Tay) in Hanoi. It was eventually defeated by the divine warrior Tran Vu (also known as Xuanwu or Zhenwu Dadi), a celestial guardian of the north.
In Japan, the nine-tailed fox was woven into local folklore and mythology, taking on darker, more mysterious forms. These tales, such as the story of Tamamo-no-Mae, reflect uniquely Japanese themes of beauty, deception, and spiritual power.

The Legend of Tamamo-no-Mae: Japan’s Most Infamous Fox Spirit

Among all Japanese tales of the nine-tailed fox, none is more famous—or more chilling—than that of Tamamo-no-Mae, a beautiful courtesan who captivated the imperial court during the Heian period.

A Beauty Too Perfect

According to legend, Tamamo-no-Mae appeared suddenly at the imperial palace. She was astonishingly beautiful, highly educated, and spoke with unmatched grace. Everyone—from nobles to scholars—was enchanted by her charm and intelligence. Before long, she became the favorite of Retired Emperor Toba, who was completely smitten.

But not all was as it seemed.

The Emperor Falls Ill

Soon after Tamamo-no-Mae entered the court, Retired Emperor Toba began to suffer from a mysterious, life-threatening illness. No one could find a cure. Desperate, the court summoned priests and diviners. One of them—Abe no Yasuchika, a renowned onmyoji (yin-yang master)—finally revealed the terrifying truth: Tamamo-no-Mae was not human.

She was a nine-tailed fox in disguise, feeding off Retired Emperor Toba’s life force.

The Fox Revealed and the Final Hunt

Once her secret was exposed, Tamamo-no-Mae vanished from the palace. She fled into the wilds of Nasuno, a vast plain in what is now Tochigi Prefecture. The emperor’s forces sent two skilled warriors—Kazusa-no-suke and Miura-no-suke—to hunt her down.

After a fierce battle, they finally defeated her. Upon her death, her spirit entered a massive volcanic stone, which became known as the Sessho-seki, or Killing Stone. It was said that this cursed stone would kill any living creature that came near it—humans and animals alike—due to the lingering venomous aura of the fox spirit.

The Curse Continues: Sessho-seki's Deadly Legacy

Even after the death of Retired Emperor Toba, the Killing Stone remained in Nasuno. Terrified villagers avoided it, and even many monks who came to perform purification rituals were struck down by its deadly aura. The stone was feared for centuries.

In the 14th century, a monk named Genno from Aizu (1329–1400) visited the area. Determined to break the curse, he raised a heavy hammer and smashed the stone into three pieces. According to legend, the fragments flew across the country:

One piece landed in Aizu (modern-day Fukushima Prefecture)
Another flew to Bizen (present-day Okayama Prefecture)
The final fragment remained in Nasu (modern-day Tochigi Prefecture), where it still draws visitors today

Regional Variations: How the Nine-Tailed Fox Legend Lives Across Japan

While the story of Tamamo-no-Mae and the Killing Stone is the most famous version of Japan's nine-tailed fox legend, many regional variations of the tale exist throughout the country. Passed down orally through generations, these localized legends add vivid, sometimes eerie details that reflect local beliefs and superstitions.

Yamanashi Prefecture: The Cursed Shards and the Disease Called "Ishibu"

In this version, after the stone was shattered by the monk Genno, fragments scattered across the country. One of these landed in Yamanashi. It is said that:

If you climb the stone and fall, you will suffer injuries.
Stepping on the fragment causes pain in the soles of the feet for no clear reason—a condition known as Ishibu, believed to be caused by touching the cursed stone.
The shards also cause injuries similar to being slashed by a kamaitachi (a supernatural wind sickle).

Kanagawa Prefecture: Invisible Fox Spirits and the Spread of Possession

Here, the nine-tailed fox, named Kinko (Golden Fur), fled from China to Japan, took on human form, and eventually became the Killing Stone in Nasu after being exposed. However, when a monk cast a spell on the stone:

It split open and released countless invisible fox spirits called kuda-gitsune.
These spirits scattered across Japan and began possessing humans.
People possessed by a kuda-gitsune were said to eat large amounts of food without gaining weight.

Wakayama Prefecture: The Shattering Stone and the Curse of “Komame”

In Wakayama, the fox is described as a 9,000-year-old white-furred nine-tailed fox, which disguised itself as a lady-in-waiting named Tamago-no-Mae. After it was defeated in Nasu, it turned into the Killing Stone.

When people came into contact with the stone, they would die.
After it was shattered and collected, anyone who stepped on a fragment would develop painful skin swellings called Komame.

Shiga Prefecture: The Watching Ring and a Protective Stone

In this tale, a nine-tailed fox arrived from China and became a queen. But when someone looked at her through a ring made from dove feathers, her true fox form was revealed, and she fled to Nasu and became a deadly stone.

A monk recited sutras and shattered the stone with a hammer.
One fragment ended up at the storyteller's home, where red rice (sekihan) is offered to it on the 17th of each month.
The stone is never to be touched or used as garden décor, as it is believed to protect the household from misfortune.

These local tales show how a single myth can take on unique forms across regions, incorporating local beliefs, fears, and even health superstitions. The nine-tailed fox in Japan is not just a character of legend—it is a living part of folklore, woven into the everyday lives and spiritual landscapes of communities throughout the country.

From Stage to Screen: How the Nine-Tailed Fox Lives On in Japanese Arts

The legend of Tamamo-no-Mae and the nine-tailed fox has inspired centuries of storytelling in Japan—shaping theater, literature, and modern media. From solemn ritual performances to dazzling pop culture appearances, this mysterious fox spirit continues to enchant audiences across generations.

Traditional Performing Arts

Noh Theater:
The story of Tamamo-no-Mae appears in classic Noh plays such as Tamamo-no-Mae and Sessho-seki, where masked actors perform slow, stylized movements to retell the haunting legend of the fox spirit and the deadly stone. These performances emphasize spiritual tension, illusion, and the sorrow of the fallen spirit.
Kabuki and Joruri (Puppet Theater):
In Edo-period kabuki and bunraku (puppet drama), Tamamo-no-Mae is often portrayed as both alluring and dangerous. A famous example is Tamamo-no-Mae Asahi no Tamoto, which dramatizes her seduction of the prince and eventual defeat in Nasu. These versions add emotional intensity, action, and sometimes moral commentary.
Otogizōshi and Setsuwa (Medieval Tales):
The fox appears in illustrated storybooks and sermons as a cautionary figure. In these versions, she symbolizes not just deceit, but the karmic consequences of evil hidden behind beauty.

Influence in Modern Culture

Anime and Manga:
The nine-tailed fox appears in popular series such as NARUTO (as Kurama), Fate/Grand Order (as Tamamo-no-Mae), Inuyasha, and many more. These characters often retain the fox’s mystical powers, seductive nature, or duality between good and evil.
Video Games:
The fox spirit features in games like Ōkami, Nioh, and Onmyoji. Often portrayed with magical abilities, these characters bring the legend into interactive storytelling.
Literature and Novels:
Authors of historical fantasy and supernatural fiction frequently reimagine Tamamo-no-Mae in new settings, from Heian court intrigue to modern Tokyo horror.

Pokémon: Ninetales – A Fox of Flame and Legend

One of the most internationally recognized examples of the nine-tailed fox in modern Japanese pop culture is Ninetales, a fox-like creature from the Pokémon series.

Introduced in the very first generation (1996), Ninetales evolves from Vulpix, a smaller fox with six tails. After being exposed to a Fire Stone, Vulpix becomes the elegant and powerful Ninetales, now bearing nine long, flowing tails.
According to the official Pokédex, Ninetales:
- Can live for over 1,000 years
- Is said to curse anyone who pulls its tails
- Possesses mystical powers and a high level of intelligence
- Understands human language and is often portrayed as graceful, aloof, and wise

These traits strongly reflect the traditional image of the nine-tailed fox in Japanese folklore—beautiful, intelligent, immortal, and spiritually powerful.

With global reach and deep mythological roots, Ninetales serves as a perfect example of how ancient Japanese legends continue to inspire new generations through popular media.

A Living Legend

Whether through solemn ritual performance or digital fantasy realms, the story of the nine-tailed fox continues to evolve. What remains constant is its timeless fascination: a creature that is beautiful yet deadly, divine yet cursed, human yet not. From the silent masks of Noh to the glowing screens of anime, the fox spirit remains one of Japan’s most captivating cultural icons.

The Killing Stone Today: A Sacred Site with a Living Legend

Nestled in the highlands of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, the Sessho-seki (Killing Stone)—is not just a legend, but a real, physical site that visitors can still see today. This large volcanic rock, located in a steaming geothermal field, is one of Japan’s most mysterious and legendary landmarks.

According to legend, the stone is said to mark the place where the nine-tailed fox spirit, Tamamo-no-Mae, was defeated. For centuries, it was believed to emit a deadly aura, and became feared as a cursed object in local folklore.

A Modern Mystery: The Stone Breaks in 2022

In March 2022, the Killing Stone made headlines across Japan and internationally when it was discovered split in two. Photos quickly spread online, and speculation abounded:
Had the spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae finally escaped?

While geologists attribute the crack to natural weathering and freezing over time, the eerie timing and the stone’s fearsome reputation gave rise to jokes, memes, and superstitions across social media. The event reminded many that old legends still hold power—even in the modern age.

Visiting the Sessho-seki: A Place Where Myth Meets Nature

Today, the Sessho-seki is part of the Nasu Yumoto Hot Spring area, a popular tourist destination known for its scenic volcanic landscapes, sulfurous steam vents, and traditional inns. Visitors can walk a stone path through the steaming fields to see the Killing Stone up close, along with shrines, fox statues, and informational displays about the legend.

How to Get There

From Tokyo, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasushiobara Station (approx. 75 minutes).
From Nasushiobara Station, board a Kanto Bus bound for Nasu Onsen and ride for about 50 minutes.

Admission

Free of charge — there is no entrance fee to visit the site.

Nearby Attractions

Nasu Onsen hot spring resorts
Nasu Yuzen Shrine
Volcanic walking trails and scenic viewpoints
Open-air foot baths (ashiyu) with views of the steam vents

Travel Tip: The site is especially atmospheric on misty days, when the sulfur steam curls around the stone—evoking the spirit world of the ancient tale.

From Ancient Legends to Cultural Icon

The Nine-Tailed Fox is more than just a mythical creature—it is a mirror of human imagination, reflecting our deepest hopes, fears, and fascinations.

From the royal courts of ancient China to the mystical plains of Japan, from sacred Noh stages to glowing anime screens, this shape-shifting spirit has traveled across centuries and cultures, constantly transforming yet never disappearing.

It is a being of contradictions—divine and dangerous, beautiful and deadly, revered and feared.
It seduces and deceives, protects and punishes.
And perhaps that’s why we can’t look away.

Whether feared as a demon or admired as a goddess, the Nine-Tailed Fox continues to live in stories we tell, the art we create, and the places we visit.

It is not just part of Japan’s folklore—it is part of its soul.