Japanese folklore is rich in legends. Sometimes wondrous, sometimes terrifying, these stories continue to nourish Japanese culture and imagination today. Among the legendary bestiary of Japan, we find the kyūbi no kitsune (九尾の狐), or nine-tailed fox. These malevolent creatures are said to have originated in India and traveled to China, Korea, and Japan, spreading death and devastation in their wake. Let's discover the story of Tamamo-no-Mae…
Tamamo-no-Mae, beautiful and learned young woman
It is said that in the 12thth In the 19th century, a woman of exceptional beauty, intelligence, and grace attracted the favor of the retired Emperor Toba. This beautiful and learned young woman charmed the court and quickly became the emperor's favorite.
Legend has it that one stormy night, when darkness reigned, the emperor was surprised to see the young woman's body glowing brilliantly. The phenomenon terrified those present, but the emperor saw it as a sign of the young woman's luminous personality. Thus, the beauty of the spectacle inspired her to be named Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前 / 玉藻の前 / 玉藻御前), or Luminous Jewel Maiden.
Tamamo-no-Mae, the evil nine-tailed fox
The idyll was short-lived, as the retired emperor and his son (the reigning emperor) mysteriously fell ill. They consulted priests and soothsayers to find an explanation for their ailment, but no one had an answer. Finally, the court astrologer, who was also the exorcist, revealed that Tamamo-no-Mae was the cause of their illness. This is how the true nature of the "charming" young woman was revealed: she was a nine-tailed fox demon plotting to overthrow the emperors and seize power.
Unmasked, Tamamo-no-Mae fled northeast. A hunt ensued, lasting several days, to find and eliminate the evil fox. Finally, the most powerful warrior of the time, Miure-no-Suka, killed the creature with an arrow. Tamamo-no-Mae's body transformed into sessho-seki (殺生石, or killing stone) and his soul was imprisoned within it. Legend says that anyone who touches this stone will die.
Tamamo-no-Mae today
It is said that the spirit haunted this "killer stone" in the Nasu district of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, until a Buddhist priest resting near the stone was threatened by the creature. The priest performed spiritual rituals and prayed to the spirit for his salvation until it calmed down and vowed never to haunt the stone again. Designated a "local historical site" since 1957, the stone split in two in March 2022 due to erosion.
Could Tamamo-no-Mae have returned to us…??!!
