A Japanese Folktaletold by Elizabeth Preston ‡ art by Marnie Galloway

The

FOX Wife

The

FOX Wife

People have always liked to make up stories about people turning into animals. Why? Who knows?

In Japan, there are many folk tales about kitsune, fox spirits that take on human form . . .

. . . often a handsome man or a beautiful woman who appears out of nowhere. . .

. . . and plays tricks on people.

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If it rains while the sun is shining, people in Japan might say—

When a normally nice person behaves badly, his friends might say he is possessed by an evil kitsune.

Older, more powerful kitsune can have as many as nine tails.

It’s a foxes’ wedding!

Luckily, there are ways for humans to spot fox spirits in disguise.

Check for a hidden tail!Dogs don’t like foxes.

Shadows don’t lie.

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Time to find a wife!

One story tells about a man from Mino province who wasn’t careful enough. One day...

He came across a pretty woman alone in the forest.

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Hello! Where are you

headed?Oh, I’m just

searching for a husband.

Do you know anyone?

The man took her to his home, and they were married the next day.

Will you marry me?

Sure!

The unsuspecting man fell in love at once.

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One of these puppies was not very fond of the man’s wife. He knew what she was!

Soon, the couple was expecting a child.

Around the time their son was born, the man’s dog also gave birth to puppies.

She tried to get her husband to get rid of the puppy.

I don’t like that one. Send him

away!

I can’t do that!

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The dog stayed. One day, he saw his chance and startled the woman into showing her true shape.

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The man was surprised by his wife’s transformation.

His plea worked. And it just so happens that in Japanese, the word for “come and sleep”. . .

Her secret revealed, the fox wife started to flee.

Please don’t go. We have a son together! I will miss you! Look,

it’s night—won’t you come and sleep?

Wait!

. . . is kitsune.8

In this Japanese version of rock-paper-scissors, you’ll need the wits of a fox to defeat your opponent.

Two people kneel facing each other.

they both choose a move:

The head of the village outranks the hunter.

The hunter can shoot the fox.

But the fox can bewitch the village head.

Play until someone wins three matchups. If you can’t win no matter how long you play, check your opponent for a tail.

On the count of three (or after clapping three times),

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Arts and Sciences for Curious Kids from ASK® Magazine

Fiction Tales & Legends 560L • 459 words

Text © 2016 by Elizabeth Preston, Art © 2016 by Marnie Galloway

Copyright © 2018 by Carus Publishing Company.

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ISBN 978-0-8126-6792-9

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