作品Free Graded Reading
老狐の怪The Old Fox's Mystery
Rōko no Kai
by 田中 貢太郎 · Tanaka Kōtarō
A monk exposes a fox spirit disguised as a beautiful woman.
About this story
About this storyA monk witnesses a fox using a skull to transform into a beautiful woman and deceive a traveler.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseSource
SourceThis text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko
Base edition (底本): 「中国の怪談（一）」河出文庫、河出書房新社
1987（昭和62）年5月6日初版発行
Typed in by Hiroshi_O. Proofread by noriko saito.
Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.
The furigana are Yomimaru's. In the app it is split into 2 parts.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe monk Shigen observes a fox transforming into a woman using a skull. The woman then meets a soldier and claims to be a widow. The monk exposes her as a fox and uses a Buddhist ritual to reveal her true form, causing her death.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 狐 (きつね) | fox |
|---|---|
| 髑髏 (どくろ) | skull |
| 化ける (ばける) | to transform (a fox into a human) |
| 僧 (そう) | monk |
| 軍人 (ぐんじん) | soldier |
| 正体 (しょうたい) | true form |
| 真言 (しんごん) | mantra (Buddhist) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ております N4Polite form of ～ている, indicating a state or ongoing action.困って親の処へ帰るところでございますが、歩が遅いものでございますから、日が暮れて困っております
- ～てあげよう N4Volitional form of ～てあげる, offering to do something for someone.易州なら私の帰るところだ、穢い馬でかまわなければ、乗せて往ってあげよう
- ～なければ N4Conditional meaning 'if not'.穢い馬でかまわなければ、乗せて往ってあげよう
- ～てしまいます N4Expresses completion or regret about an action.早くもとの形にならないか
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Fox Spirits (Kitsune) in Japanese FolkloreIn Japanese folklore, foxes (kitsune) are magical creatures capable of shape-shifting, often into beautiful women. They are associated with Inari shrines and can be both benevolent and mischievous. This story illustrates a classic 'fox-wife' motif where a fox deceives humans.
- Buddhist Exorcism RitualsThe monk uses a mudra (hand seal), a mantra (sacred chant), and a shakujo (monk's staff) to expose the fox's true form. These are standard elements in Buddhist rituals to subdue demons or spirits.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat does the fox use to transform into a woman?
- A skull
- A leaf
- A horse
- A Buddhist staff
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipIdentify the speaker of each dialogue line to track who is talking.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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