The Fox-Woman Kuzunoha Leaving Her Child by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Kuzunoha, The Grateful Fox Bride
Long ago, a nobleman named Abe no Yasuna lived in Settsu Province, now Osaka. One day, while visiting Shinoda Forest, he encountered a white fox being chased by a hunter. Abe no Yasuna bravely fought the hunter to save the white fox, but not without sustaining serious injuries himself. He leaned bleeding against a tree, when to his great fortune, a lovely woman appeared. “Oh, you are hurt!” she exclaimed. “Let us return to my house and allow me to take care of you.” The kind young woman, whose name was Kuzunoha (“Kudzu leaf”), nursed Abe no Yasuna back to health, and over time, the two fell in love and married. She gave birth to a healthy boy and they lived in harmony. Three years passed, and Abe no Yasuna noticed something peculiar about his son. He appeared to have the ability to see supernatural creatures. One day, the child snuck up on his unassuming mother, and to his surprise spotted a white furry tail sprouting from her kimono. “Ah, my mother is a fox!” the boy cried out in disbelief. Kuzunoha was the white fox Abe no Yasuna had rescued many years ago in the forest. Realizing her true form was discovered, Kuzunoha fled her home in shame and returned to Shinoda Forest, never to be seen again. She left behind a farewell poem on silk parchment at the Inari Shrine in Izumi, which read, “If you think of me, love, come seek me in the forests of Shinoda, and you will find a kudzu leaf.” Though saddened by his mother’s departure, the child remained strong and dedicated himself to acquiring knowledge. He grew up to become Japan’s most famous astrologer, Abe no Seimei.
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