Last time, I shared the story of the Fox Wedding — a mysterious tradition where foxes hold their own wedding during a sunshower.
This time, it’s not foxes marrying each other, but a bittersweet tale of love between a human and a fox.
A Fox Turned Wife!?
Long ago in Osaka, a fox transformed into a beautiful woman and met a man.
They fell in love, got married, and even had a child together.
For years, they lived a happy family life.
But one day, her secret was revealed.
She wasn’t human at all — she had been a fox in disguise.
The Farewell Poem
Once her true nature was known, the fox wife could no longer stay with her family.
Before leaving, she wrote a poem on the sliding door:
“If you miss me, come find me
in the deep woods of Shinoda,
where the arrowroot leaves grow.”
Here she revealed her true name: Kuzunoha, meaning “arrowroot leaf.”
With these words, she disappeared into the forest, leaving only the poem behind.
A Tale of Love and Tears
The story of the fox wife has been retold for centuries in theater, songs, and paintings.
Though it’s a tale of magic, its heart is deeply human:
the bond between mother and child, and the pain of saying goodbye.
In Japanese folklore, foxes aren’t always mischievous tricksters.
Sometimes, they embody love, sacrifice, and emotions as deep as our own.
That is why this story continues to touch hearts even today.
👉 Next time, I’ll share yet another curious piece of Japanese culture — chosen entirely by my own biased taste.