Thank you for sharing this very well-researched article!
An interesting fact: the very first written account of the nine-tailed fox, appearing in ancient text Shanhaijing ("The Classic of Mountains and Seas"), the nine-tailed fox is supposed to be a monster native to Korean peninsula (or 靑丘, "Blue-Hill"). Even in this brief, ancient text entry, the two fundamental characteristics of Korean and Chinese nine-tailed fox (Gumiho/Jiuweihu) are already established: emulation of humanity, and harm against humans, while Japanese Kitsune (likely a product of the Gumiho/Jiuweihu tradition fusing over Japanese native animism) can be more multi-faceted as you have aptly noted.
Thank you. This is fascinating and I really appreciate the added Shanhaijing layer. I love how the nine-tailed fox already carries so much of that older, shifting East Asian background before it takes on its later forms.
I've just found out that my latest comment didn't get through. It's no surprise as I am navigationally challenged. I'm not sure how to make the most basic substack manuevers and that hurts my performance. I cann use all the help that I can get.
No worries at all. I’m really glad your comment came through and I appreciate you taking the time to come back to it. Your first note really did mean a lot.
Thank you for sharing this very well-researched article!
An interesting fact: the very first written account of the nine-tailed fox, appearing in ancient text Shanhaijing ("The Classic of Mountains and Seas"), the nine-tailed fox is supposed to be a monster native to Korean peninsula (or 靑丘, "Blue-Hill"). Even in this brief, ancient text entry, the two fundamental characteristics of Korean and Chinese nine-tailed fox (Gumiho/Jiuweihu) are already established: emulation of humanity, and harm against humans, while Japanese Kitsune (likely a product of the Gumiho/Jiuweihu tradition fusing over Japanese native animism) can be more multi-faceted as you have aptly noted.
Thank you. This is fascinating and I really appreciate the added Shanhaijing layer. I love how the nine-tailed fox already carries so much of that older, shifting East Asian background before it takes on its later forms.
I've just found out that my latest comment didn't get through. It's no surprise as I am navigationally challenged. I'm not sure how to make the most basic substack manuevers and that hurts my performance. I cann use all the help that I can get.
No worries at all. I’m really glad your comment came through and I appreciate you taking the time to come back to it. Your first note really did mean a lot.
Coherent rigorous and engaging and all new to me and glad I’ve lived long enough to learn
Thank you that genuinely means a lot. I’m really glad the piece brought you something new.
Thank you so much for the restack, @Villie Butler.