Tamamo-no-Mae 玉藻前

Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前), the “Lady Duckweed,” is one of the Three Great Evil Yokai of Japan. She is a powerful nine-tailed fox who took the form of a beautiful woman to corrupt the Imperial court and nearly overthrow the nation.

Meaning and Origin

The name literally translates to “Lady Duckweed” (Tamamo - jewel-like weed, no Mae - lady of the court).

Her origin is truly international. Legend says she is an ancient nine-tailed fox spirit (Kyūbi no Kitsune) that originated in China as the concubine Daji, moved to India as Lady Kayō, and returned to China as Bao Si—always causing the downfall of the rulers she seduced. She finally arrived in Japan during the Heian period, where she assumed her most famous identity as the favorite consort of Emperor Konoe.

Characteristics

As a human, Tamamo-no-Mae was described as the perfect woman: she possessed peerless beauty, an intellect that could answer any question on philosophy or religion, and a body that naturally emitted a heavenly fragrance.

In her true form, she is a massive golden fox with nine tails, each possessing its own type of magical power. She is a master of illusions and social manipulation, using her charm to drain the vital energy of the Emperor, causing him to waste away from a mysterious illness while she tightened her grip on the levers of power.

Legends

Her downfall came when the court astrologer, Abe no Yasuchika, used a sacred mirror to reveal her true shadow. Exposed as a fox, she fled to the plains of Nasu. The Emperor sent an army of 80,000 soldiers to hunt her down. After a brutal chase, she was finally slain by the legendary archers Miura-no-suke and Kazusa-no-suke.

Even in death, her malice remained. Her body transformed into the Sesshō-seki (Killing Stone), which emitted a poisonous gas that killed any bird, beast, or human that touched it. The spirit of the fox remained trapped in the stone for centuries until a Buddhist priest named Gennō finally shattered the rock and pacified her soul through ritual prayer. Today, the split remains of the Killing Stone in Nasu are still a site of deep folklore and superstition.