The Nine-Tailed Fox - Tamamo no Mae (MAE)

Entry #13

Japanese Mythology/Folklore – This legendary fox spirit also appears in Chinese, Buddhist, Shinto and Hindi folklore.

Partial illustration by Anna Wieszyzyk. Reveal of her Mae character design for Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters is coming next week!

Tamamo-no-Mae is considered one of the legendary fox spirits and it is believed that she has all nine of her tails. She is also one of the Nihon San Dai Aku Yōkai – the Three Terrible Yōkai of Japan. She is fierce, cutthroat, and will not rest to get revenge on those who have crossed her.

Catchphrases: “Nine is your unlucky number!”

Fox spirits or kitsunes are supernatural creatures who have the ability to shapeshift. They appear in many mythologies. They grow wiser and more powerful over time. In some folklore, they gain tails as they gain power and wisdom. Some become so powerful, they are treated as deities. Some fox spirits are tricksters, some are guardians, and many are both. Tamamo-no-Mae or Mae as I call her is one of the most pow…