“A collection of four spooky tales for the modern era, all tied to a certain Kyoto curio shop. A basket wriggles, a masked man lingers in the shadows, and things are offered, lost, and forgotten. What mysteries lie hidden in the city's winding streets? Tomihiko Morimi offers an eerie glimpse into the beguiling and mysterious darkness of the old capital.” (Yen Press)
“Fox Tales” collects four stories from Tomihiko Morimi centered around the lore and mythology behind the fox, commonly known as, the Kitsune in the Western interpretation of the folklore. What makes these four tales work so exceedingly well together, besides the engaging prose of Morimi, is how each tale becomes interwoven through subtle and mysterious ways fitting the Japanese characterization of the mischievous fox.
While each tale is a self-contained story, there is an undeniably fascinating element in the way every one connects to another through different characters introduced in the first story. It can be as simplistic as having heard of the little shop of curiosities to a family relation tied to those involved in the titular titled, “Fox Tales” that established the lore which resonates throughout the four segments. This makes for a book that maintains consistency throughout while giving the impression of the power of the fox being intrinsic to cultural identity–it truly represents the importance of folklore and how it shapes our understanding (or lack thereof) of the world around us.
Given its complimentary structure, it becomes difficult to pick a favorite or a story that exemplifies Morimi's ability as a storyteller, as each segment feels essential to the experience. However, the tales are a differing mix of mystery and macabre, giving a few segments a devious tone that is certain to appease fans who like the darker side of Japanese folklore.
Notably, “Phantom” starts with the familiar tale of an outsider entering a community, but by the end, the man succumbs to a drastic change that leaves the story ending on an ominous note. Comparatively, “The Dragon in the Fruit” focuses on how stories can alter friendships, with the elements of the supernatural lingering in the background with more residual than a direct influence. Both of these approaches work, and while one is not less than the other, the type of stories that resonate with readers will determine what their favorite stories are as opposed to objectively being able to state one is superior to another.
Looking at the release itself, it is, unfortunately, a bit bare bones, with no prologue, introduction, afterword, or editor's notes. This would have aided in some of the choices in translation, as even looking at ‘fox' tales, the understanding of Western readers who have an interest in Japanese folklore may feel that the book could have used ‘kitsune'. Furthermore, given Winifred Bird's limited work in translating fiction, a word or notes from the translator could have helped confirm, or at least give the impression, of accuracy. Still, nothing feels particularly erroneous in the text, but given the literary popularity and prowess of Tomihiko Morimi, the absence of anything beyond the stories is painful. On the other hand, the physical release is hardcover with a dust jacket, which is always appreciated, and it is compact. This is ideal for casual reading and is the perfect release to bring on travels or read outside.
Fans of Japanese folklore will, undeniably, love “Fox Tales” and the way it brilliantly conveys the importance and effect that stories have on a culture. Furthermore, the release touches on elements of mystery and horror in an accessible way, never presenting itself as overly morbid and grounded in realistic characters and emotions. In many ways, the work feels like a love letter to authors like Lafcadio Hearn or Edogawa Ranpo, with Tomihiko Morimi finding a comfortable place between the two. Consequently, “Fox Tales” will appeal to a wide readership both by interest and age, making it a rather ideal introduction to the younger generation and a comfort read for adults.
Highly recommended reading, though hopefully in the future we will see a release with a bit more info or annotations to aid and give deeper value to the work and how it explores folklore.
