The nine-tailed fox, also known as the Kyuubi, is a mythological creature that originated in Chinese and Japanese folklore. With its multiple tails and powerful abilities, the nine-tailed fox has captured people’s imaginations for centuries. But one question has long remained: is the nine-tailed fox male or female?
The Origins of the Nine-Tailed Fox
Stories about the nine-tailed fox first appeared during the Han dynasty in China. These early tales portrayed the fox as an ominous creature that could transform into a beautiful woman in order to seduce men. The nine-tailed fox was seen as a sign of pending disaster or upheaval. Over time, the nine-tailed fox made its way into Japanese mythology as well. There, it was known as the Kyuubi and was also seen as a shape-shifter that could take human form.
The Nine-Tailed Fox in Chinese Folklore
In Chinese folklore, the nine-tailed fox is most commonly depicted as a female entity. She is often portrayed as a seductress who uses her beauty and charm to bring downfall to men of high status or destined for greatness. For example, many stories tell of the nine-tailed fox appearing to powerful rulers or religious sages in the form of a young woman. After seducing them, she would either drain their lifeforce or make them behave erratically, ultimately leading to their ruin.
Perhaps the most famous depiction of the female nine-tailed fox from Chinese legend is Daji. Daji was said to be a vessel for a nine-tailed fox spirit who possessed her body and bewitched King Zhou, the last king of the Shang Dynasty. Under the influence of the nine-tailed vixen Daji, King Zhou became a cruel and merciless ruler who brought suffering to his people.
The Nine-Tailed Fox in Japanese Folklore
In Japanese legend, the nine-tailed fox or Kyuubi is more ambiguous in terms of gender. The Kyuubi is most famously known as Kurama, the demon fox sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki in the popular anime series. Kurama has a masculine voice and is referred to as male in the show. However, in some Japanese art and literature, the Kyuubi is also depicted as female, mirroring the Chinese legends.
Unlike the Chinese myths which portray the nine-tailed fox as sinister, the Japanese Kyuubi is not always evil. Kurama, for example, starts off as an adversary to Naruto but eventually becomes his ally. Other benevolent depictions of the Kyuubi also exist in Japanese folktales. So in terms of gender, the Japanese Kyuubi can be both male or female depending on the story.
The Nine-Tailed Fox as a Shapeshifter
A key trait of the nine-tailed fox in both Chinese and Japanese legends is its ability to shapeshift. Being a master of illusion, the fox spirit can take on many different forms, regardless of its original gender. This makes definitively identifying the gender of the nine-tailed fox difficult.
In stories where the nine-tailed fox appears as female, she is able to transform herself into a handsome scholar or young man to achieve her goals. Likewise in tales where the Kyuubi is male, he can take on female human form to deceive and seduce. The fox’s ability to change its look perpetually masks its true gender.
Common Forms of the Shapeshifting Nine-Tailed Fox
- A beautiful young woman who seduces men
- A learned scholar assisting a ruler or providing sage advice
- A helpless maiden who needs rescuing
- A powerful sorceress with enchantments and spells
- A gentle, charming companion to gain trust
No matter what appearance the nine-tailed fox takes, its intentions typically include scheming, deceit, and manipulation. Very rarely does the shapeshifting fox show its true nature outwardly.
Analyzing the Nine-Tailed Fox’s Origins
Looking at the history and earliest portrayals of the nine-tailed fox reveals some clues about its gender origins. Based on the source folklore:
- In China, the nine-tailed fox was originally depicted as female and viewed as an evil, seductive spirit who brought chaos.
- In Japan, the Kyuubi had neutral or sometimes positive portrayals early on and was not defined specifically by gender.
This contrast indicates that the nine-tailed fox was conceived as female in Chinese myths but more gender-neutral in Japanese stories. The evil, femme fatale characterization is unique to Chinese legends. Meanwhile, the Japanese focused more on the fox’s power and spirit without attaching to a fixed gender.
Linguistic Clues
Linguistically, the Japanese word for nine-tailed fox – Kyuubi – does not give any indication of the creature’s sex. However, in Chinese, the nine-tailed fox is referred to in feminine terms like jiu wei hu (九尾狐)which literally translates to “nine tail fox spirit.” The characters used contain the radical for “woman.”
The Nine-Tailed Fox in Popular Culture
As a prominent figure in Asian folklore, the nine-tailed fox has made appearances in many forms of modern and contemporary pop culture. Looking at how the Kyuubi is portrayed in anime, manga, and games can also provide insight into the fox’s gender.
Anime and Manga Depictions
Notable anime and manga featuring the nine-tailed fox include:
- Naruto – The fox spirit Kurama is referred to using male pronouns.
- Yu Yu Hakusho – The Kyuubi named Yoko Kurama is male.
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan – The Kyuubi is a female named Tamamo-no-Mae.
- Fushigi Yugi – The nine-tailed fox Miaka meets is male.
- Inuyasha – The Kyuubi inside the half-demon Naraku is female.
As we can see, anime and manga depict the Kyuubi as both male and female fairly equally. If anything, there seems to be a slight skew towards male incarnations.
Videogame Portrayals
Examples of the nine-tailed fox in videogames include:
- Okami – The Kyuubi is the primary antagonist named Ninetails, depicted as female.
- Shin Megami Tensei – Kyuubi is shown as male in the Shin Megami Tensei games.
- Pokémon – Vulpix and Ninetails seem feminine but can be male or female.
- WoW – The Kyuubi is a giant fox mount that can be ridden by any gender.
Videogames like Pokémon and WoW keep the fox’s gender ambiguous on purpose. But in games with a defined canon, the Kyuubi leans towards being male. An exception is Okami which features a female nine-tails.
Conclusion
So in summary, is the legendary nine-tailed fox male or female? After exploring the mythology, folklore, and modern depictions, the answer is:
There is no definitive gender. The Kyuubi’s ability to shapeshift means its outward gender can be deceptive. And internally, its status as a powerful demon spirit transcends human attributes like gender.
However, there are clues that point to how the nine-tailed fox was originally conceived:
- In Chinese origin myths, the nine-tailed fox was viewed as female.
- In Japanese legends, its gender was more fluid and undefined.
- Modern anime, manga, and games draw from both views with mixed portrayals.
So while both male and female versions of the Kyuubi exist, the earliest known versions lean towards a female entity – at least in China. The nine-tailed fox’s gender remains ambiguous, but its roots seem to begin with a dangerous, demonic vixen in ancient Chinese folktales before expanding into a more gender-neutral shapechanger over time.
Regardless of gender, the nine-tailed fox remains a fascinating mythical creature and continues to capture imaginations centuries after its creation.