Vast is the literature of the subject of foxes--ghostly foxes. Some
of it is old as the eleventh century. In the ancient romances and the
modern cheap novel, in historical traditions and in popular fairy-tales,
foxes perform wonderful parts. There are very beautiful and very sad and
very terrible stories about foxes. There are legends of foxes discussed
by great scholars, and legends of foxes known to every child in
Japan--such as the history of Tamamonomae, the beautiful favourite of
the Emperor Toba--Tamamonomae, whose name has passed into a proverb,
and who proved at last to be only a demon fox with Nine Tails and Fur
of Gold. But the most interesting part of fox-literature belongs to
the Japanese stage, where the popular beliefs are often most humorously
reflected--as in the following excerpts from the comedy of Hiza-Kuruge,
written by one Jippensha Ikku:
[Kidahachi and Iyaji are travelling from Yedo to Osaka. When within a
short distance of Akasaka, Kidahachi hastens on in advance to secure
good accommodations at the best inn. Iyaji, travelling along leisurely,
stops a little while at a small wayside refreshment-house kept by an old
woman]
OLD WOMAN.--Please take some tea, sir. IYAJI.--Thank you! How far is it
from here to the next town?--Akasaka? OLD WOMAN.--About one ri. But
if you have no companion, you had better remain here to-night, because
there is a bad fox on the way, who bewitches travellers. IYAJI.--I am
afraid of that sort of thing. But I must go on; for my companion has
gone on ahead of me, and will be waiting for me.
[After having paid for his refreshments, Iyaji proceeds on his way. The
night is very dark, and he feels quite nervous on account of what the
old woman has told him. After having walked a considerable distance,
he suddenly hears a fox yelping--kon-kon. Feeling still more afraid, he
shouts at the top of his voice:]
IYAJI.--Come near me, and I will kill you!
[Meanwhile Kidahachi, who has also been frightened by the old woman's
stories, and has therefore determined to wait for Iyaji, is saying to
himself in the dark: 'If I do not wait for him, we shall certainly be
deluded.' Suddenly he hears Iyaji's voice, and cries out to him:]
KIDAHACHI.--O Iyaji-San! IYAJI.--What are you doing there? KIDAHACHI.--I
did intend to go on ahead; but I became afraid, and so I concluded to
stop here and wait for you. IYAJI (who imagines that the fox has taken
the shape of Kidahachi to deceive him).--Do not think that you are going
to dupe me! KIDAHACHI.--That is a queer way to talk! I have some nice
mochi [14] here which I bought for you. IYAJI.--Horse-dung cannot be
eaten! [15] KIDAHACHI.--Don't be suspicious!--I am really Kidahachi.
IYAJI (springing upon him furiously).--Yes! you took the form of
Kidahachi just to deceive me! KIDAHACHI.--What do you mean?--What are
you going to do to me? IYAJI.--I am going to kill you! (Throws him
down.) KIDAHACHI.--Oh! you have hurt me very much--please leave me
alone! IYAJI.--If you are really hurt, then let me see you in your
real shape! (They struggle together.) KIDAHACHI.--What are you
doing?--putting your hand there? IYAJI.--I am feeling for your tail. If
you don't put out your tail at once, I shall make you! (Takes his towel,
and with it ties Kidahachi's hands behind his back, and then drives him
before him.) KIDAHACHI.--Please untie me--please untie me first!
[By this time they have almost reached Akasaka, and Iyaji, seeing a dog,
calls the animal, and drags Kidahachi close to it; for a dog is believed
to be able to detect a fox through any disguise. But the dog takes no
notice of Kidahachi. Iyaji therefore unties him, and apologises; and
they both laugh at their previous fears.]