Seven Supernatural Stories

Seven Supernatural Stories from Japanese Folklore A Collection Of Japanese Woodblock Prints And The Folk Tales They Represent

Seven Supernatural Stories

The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya

by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864)

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.

The Lucky Tea Kettle of Morin Temple Long ago, there was a woodcutter. The man was kind and hardworking, but very poor.

One day, the woodcutter came across a tanuki (racoon dog). The tanuki was in grave danger, and the woodcutter went out of his way to save its life. In gratitude, the tanuki transformed into a tea kettle and suggested that the woodcutter sell him for a good price to the Buddhist priests at the Morin Temple in the town of Tatebayashi.

Life was not so easy for the tanuki as a tea kettle in this new home. The priests hung the kettle over the fire to boil water, and the tanuki yelped as it felt the hot flames lick its body. Terrified, the kettle sprouted two furry legs and scrambled away, fleeing at high speed from the surprised priests.

The tanuki found its way back to the woodcutter, who greeted it with open arms.

While telling its story of the close call at the temple, the tanuki had another idea for how the woodcutter could make some money.

The next day, the tanuki accompanied the woodcutter to the market, yet again in the form of an iron tea kettle.

“What’s a woodcutter doing with a boring old tea kettle?” the people mused.

“Just you wait and see!” thought the tanuki.

Suddenly, a pair of legs sprouted from the kettle and began a spirited dance.

“Wow! I can’t believe it! A dancing tea kettle!” shouted the onlookers.

A cheering crowd formed, with hundreds gathering to leave coins and watch this extraordinary show. The two took this show on the road and traveled together far and wide.

The tanuki became known as the lucky dancing tea kettle that helped earn a fortune for its benevolent woodcutter friend.

The Lucky Tea Kettle of Morin Temple

by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)

The Tongue-Cut Sparrow and the Heavy Basket Long ago there lived a kind old man called Nasakeji. Nasakeji loved and cared for a sparrow named Bidori.

His neighbor, Ara, was a mean old woman who hated the sparrow.

One day, while Nasakeji was away, Bidori pecked at some of Ara’s rice paste. In anger, she cut out the bird’s tongue, and the bird flew away terrified and hurting.

Nasakeji searched far and wide for his beloved Bidori, and one day, he discovered the bird living in a forest with his family. Bidori was delighted to see his friend and invited him for a humble meal.

When it was time for Nasakeji to leave, Bidori offered him one of two baskets as a gift. He weighed the two and chose the smaller, lighter basket, and made his way home. At home he opened the basket and was surprised to find it full of gold and jewels.

His greedy neighbor Ara raced to the forest and ordered the sparrow to give her the same choice of baskets. Bidori calmly gave her the same choice, and of course, Ara chose the heavy basket. When she opened it, she was horrified to discover it was full of creepy ghouls and monsters.

The Heavy Basket

by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)

Lady Tamamo

by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838–1912)

Lady Tamamo, the Transformed Nine-Tailed Fox Long ago, there was a courtesan named Tamamo no Mae, or Lady Tamamo, who was unrivaled in both beauty and intelligence.

When asked about any topic, whether it be the arts, philosophy, or science, she had an answer both wise and convincing.

Lady Tamamo smelled heavenly, and her robes were always pristine. She captivated the hearts of many, including Emperor Toba, who made her his lady-in-waiting. Shortly after, Emperor Toba manifested a mysterious illness. The court’s best priests could not diagnose the cause, and an onmyoji, or astrologer was brought in. After much praying, the astrologer found the shocking truth. The culprit was Lady Tamamo, who was actually a nine-tailed fox demon in disguise and had bewitched the emperor in order to take his seat in power.

The astrologer devised a plan to cure the emperor by having Lady Tamamo initiate a holy ceremony to dispel evil spirits in front of the court. At first, Lady Tamamo resisted, but the emperor’s ministers demanded that her role was key to curing the emperor.

The day of the ceremony arrived, and Lady Tamamo appeared in her most stunning robes yet. She recited the holy words and waved the ceremonial staff. Poof! Lady

Tamamo disappeared, and the court was in an uproar. The astrologer’s words were true.

Soon after, women and children disappeared mysteriously near Nasuno in Shimonotsuke province. The astrologer determined that Lady Tamamo was the cause, and the emperor summoned the strongest warriors of the land to find and slay her once and for all.

A total of 80,000 men stormed into Nasuno and chased the nine-tailed fox for days on end. Each time, Lady Tamamo used her magical abilities to outsmart the warriors and escape. Weary and frustrated, the warriors nearly gave up. That night, Lady Tamamo came to the chief warrior in a dream, begging him to spare her life, for he was to kill her the next day. He wavered at her helplessness and beauty but resisted.

The next day, the nine-tailed fox revealed itself again, and the chief warrior shot her down with two arrows to the flank and neck.

Another warrior delivered a final blow with his blade.

Lady Tamamo was slain, but her spirit continued to haunt the lands, causing the deaths of subsequent emperors and a succession crisis leading to war and the fall of the Heian court.

Ghost of Okiku and Asayama Tetsuzan

by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864)

Okiku, the Maid and the Missing Plate

Long ago, there was a young maid named Okiku, who served at Himeji Castle. Tetsuzan, one of her master’s retainers, was fond of Okiku. He tried many times to seduce her, but Okiku rejected his advances every time.

Disgruntled, Tetsuzan devised a cunning plan. He hid one of the master’s ten fine plates and called out for Okiku, demanding to know where it went. Alarmed, Okiku counted the plates again.

“1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..!” She was distraught.

“There were 10 just yesterday!” she exclaimed. “Please, I beg you, if you hid the plate, give it back, or I shall inform my master.”

Tetsuzan sneered. “Ha! Anyone would believe you stole the fine plate. If you don’t become my mistress, I will have you thrown out of this castle as a thief and you will live on the streets in shame.”

Still Okiku refused him. Tetsuzan lunged for Okiku, but Okiku pushed him away forcefully and ran. This enraged Tetsuzan further, who chased after Okiku, shouting. Terrified that he was about to reach her, Okiku leapt into a well. The well was deep and dark, and Okiku tumbled down into the water. She was unable to swim and soon drowned.

Tetsuzan was shaken by the sight of Okiku’s lifeless body at the bottom of the well but left to inform the master that she had run away. Shortly after, a wailing ghost wandered the castle grounds.

“1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..” she counted, then let out a blood curdling scream that pierced

the castle walls and floors. It was the ghost of Okiku, haunting Tetsuzan in vengeance.

Okiku’s counting and screams kept Tetsuzan up all night, leaving him delirious. He soon saw Okiku’s ghost all his waking hours, which drove him insane, leaving him just a shell of his former self.

Kiyohime, the Heartbroken Serpent of the Dojo Temple Long ago, there was a handsome monk named Anchin. Every year, he embarked on a pilgrimage from Mutsu to Kumano.

Along the way, Anchin rested at the riverside manor of the local village head, who had a young daughter named Kiyohime.

Kiyohime was a spirited troublemaker and loved playing tricks on Anchin, sneaking toads into his bed and hiding his robes.

When they first met, she was just a playful child, but as Kiyohime grew into a young woman, she fell in love with the handsome young monk. She believed he was fond of her as well and asked him nervously, “Anchin, in a few years I will be of age to marry, no longer a child. Will you take me then as your wife?”

Anchin smiled and, thinking she was just joking with him, he replied, “Yes Kiyo, if you behave and prove yourself a proper young woman, I will marry you and we will return together to Mutsu.” However, Kiyohime was completely serious and was overjoyed at his response and agreed enthusiastically to his terms. For the following years, Kiyohime was a model of poise and obedience. She never pulled a prank or caused trouble at the manor, as Anchin’s promise was her guiding compass.

Kiyohime Changing into a Serpent at the Hidaka River

by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)

At last, Kiyohime became of marriable age.

Anchin arrived at the manor, and Kiyohime reminded him of what he had promised her. Anchin was shocked and embarrassed.

Surely, she did not think a monk would marry her? But Kiyohime’s intense gaze told him she was serious. To avoid further confrontation, Anchin asked to make one more pilgrimage to Kumano. Upon his return, he would indeed marry her. Kiyohime

agreed to wait for her love one last time,and Anchin left.

Kiyohime waited but saw no signs of Anchin.

After some time, a passing visitor informed Kiyohime that he had run into Anchin, and the monk was not stopping at their manor. She realized Anchin had lied to her.

Full of sadness, she ran out of the house barefoot, down the road towards Dojo-ji, the temple where Anchin was heading. Seeing Kiyohime catching up, Anchin asked a boatman to help him cross the Hidaka river, and asked him not to let Kiyohime on board.

Seeing Anchin fleeing from her, Kiyohime felt intense betrayal, sadness, anger and heartbreak. She threw herself into the Hidaka river and her body elongated and widened as her legs contorted and fused, quickly growing thick layers of shiny scales.

As the rough waves tossed Kiyohime, she transformed into a giant serpent, swimming through the raging torrents like a spear after Anchin. He rushed to the temple, and with help from his fellow priests hid inside a large, bronze bell, seeking safety. But Kiyohime, catching the scent of Anchin with her serpent senses, flew upon the bell at Dojo-ji and wrapped her long, scaly body tightly around it, breathing flames against the metal. Anchin felt the bell growing hotter and hotter, unable to escape. Kiyohime’s scorching embrace burned Anchin alive.

Her vengeance complete, but her love lost, Kiyohime sorrowfully returned to her human form, now tattered. She used the last of her energy to dive into the Hidaka river, drowning herself to follow Anchin, even in death.

The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya

by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864)

Jiraiya and the Snake Spirit, Orochimaru

Long ago, there was an evil snake spirit that preyed on humans and schemed to take over Japan. To do so, the demonic snake spirit sought to take control of the Tsukikage clan of Echigo province, led by Tsukikage Gunryo Miyukinosuke.

One day, the snake spirit attacked Lord Tsukikage, but out of nowhere a young man named Orochimaru appeared to intervene and save his life.

Indebted, Lord Tsukikage adopted Orochimaru as his son. Little did he know, Orochimaru was possessed by the spirit of the demonic snake and had been used as a puppet for this staged attack. Once a part of the Echigo clan, the snake slowly manipulated the lord into murdering every one of his offspring, leaving Orochimaru as the sole successor.

With the other heirs eliminated, the snake now sought to abolish the powerful Ogata and Matsuura clans and gain control of army and navy forces. He again manipulated Lord Tsukikage to stage a coup between the allies and throw infants Jiraiya and Tsunade down a cliff, thus eliminating the two respective successors of the Ogata and Matsuura clans.

Luckily, a magic-wielding hermit named Senso Dojin rescued Jiraiya and Tsunade in time. Senso Dojin raised the children, teaching Jiraiya frog magic and Tsunade slug magic, and he trained them in combat so that one day they would be able to defeat Orochimaru.

Senso Dojin advised Jiraiya and Tsunade that in order to slay the snake, the two must find a mystical sword called Nakimaru. The two set off on their journey, and quickly approached enemy territory. Overcome with emotion, Jiraiya disregarded Dojin’s warning – to only fight Orochimaru with Tsunade at his side, after they found the sword – and attacked the snake on his own.

Orochimaru overpowered Jiraiya and nearly killed him with venom, until Tsunade rushed in to save Jiraiya’s life. The two fled and traveled to the nearest village to seek refuge. There, a young woman named Ayame helped them and took a liking to Jiraiya. At night, Ayame asked Jiraiya to stay with her forever. When he answered that Tsunade would forever be his partner and made to leave with her, Ayame leapt to attack Tsunade in anger. Jiraiya swung his weapon to protect Tsunade and cut Ayame deeply. Bleeding, Ayame confessed that she was in fact Jiraiya’s sister.

She had planned to ask Jiraiya to help her shed her blood in order to defeat Orochimaru.

Because she was a maiden born in the year, day and hour of the snake, her blood would serve as an antidote to the serpent’s poison.

Stunned, Jiraiya tried to stop her bleeding, but it was too late. As she lay dying, Ayame forced him to drink her blood. The snake’s venom left Jiraiya’s body and he was completely healed.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were grateful and vowed not to let Ayame’s sacrifice go to waste. After much time, the two finally reached Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley), where they discovered the legendary sword Nakimaru.

Armed with the magic sword, the two fought Orochimaru, and in their final battle combined their frog and slug magic to defeat the evil spirit of the serpent. The Shogunate reinstated the Ogata and Matsuura clans. Orochimaru, no longer possessed by the demonic spirit, became known as Yashagoro. Jiraiya convinced the Shogun to pardon Yashagoro’s crimes as he was no longer possessed, and the three lived to protect peace throughout the land.

Lady Tamamo

by Yoshu Chikanobu (1838–1912)

All imagery provided by JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles via their current exhibition “Nature/Supernature: Visions of This World and Beyond in Japanese Woodblock Prints”