The real myth behind Naruto's Kurama: How japanese folklore inspired the Nine-Tailed fox
If you've ever watched Naruto, then you've most certainly come across the beastly nine-tailed fox named Kurama. Did you know that this fearsome beast wasn't purely a product of the television show? Kurama isn't just an artistic creation — he's inspired by the real Japanese mythological elementals.
In Naruto, Kurama is a giant fox spirit sealed within the titular character Naruto Uzumaki, granting him immense strength but at a cost. Here's a look at the actual legend that inspired this iconic anime fox, and how it influenced Naruto's story arc.
Who is Kurama in Naruto?
Kurama, like a lot of the other nine tailed beasts, is a jerkwad in the beginning. These beings are pure chakra (energy) that were designed to maintain balance in the world.
Naruto is made the 'Jinchuriki,' or human host, of Kurama once the beast is sealed inside him as a baby. This bestows upon him tremendous powers, but makes him feared and envied by everyone around him.
During all those years Naruto is treated like a threat by the villagers, again due to the presence of Kurama. Through the course of Naruto, Naruto's main character arc is coming to an accord with the Nine-Tails, you know, coming to terms with it and ultimately being able to control it.
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In doing so, he even comes to gain Kurama's respect and find a deep connection with the beast, allowing him to become one of the world's most powerful ninjas.
The japanese legend behind Kurama
In Japanese folklore, foxes—or 'kitsune'—are illustrious magic beings that are cunning and wield a kind of positive power. According to other tales they can transform into alluring maidens or other people to deceive unsuspecting humans. Still others claim they can serve as protectors or messengers of the gods.
Kurama's design and abilities in Naruto are obviously influenced by these legendary foxes. The concept that Kurama's chakra could cause Naruto to lose control is based on the myth that kitsune would bring disease or disorder if offended.
The connection between Kurama and Mount Kurama
Kurama is the name of this magical-looking, real-life mountain outside of Kyoto, Japan. Sojobo, the king of the Tengu (long-nosed goblin gods), is said to reside on Mount Kurama alongside other powerful spirits.
It's home to more than just the healing energy of nature, it's where the healing art of Reiki was discovered. That healing connection is echoed in Naruto, where Kurama's chakra has the potential to heal or even revive others in battle, which is depicted through healing jutsu in the series.
Kurama's global cousins: Gumiho and Huli Jing
The concept of a nine-tailed magical fox isn't unique to Japan. In Korean folklore, there's a similar creature called 'Gumiho,' and in Chinese legends, there's the 'Huli Jing.'
In these alternate versions, the protagonists are often more menacing or malevolent. To take one modern example, the Gumiho is a common villain in Korean dramas.
In Naruto, Kurama is introduced as a terrifying, rampaging beast. Yet as the film unfolds, he reveals an almost contradictory, tempered, gentle aspect to his character, similar to the morally ambiguous Japanese kitsune. This change in personality is perhaps the most socially conscious and relatable reason fans adore his character.
Naruto's whisker marks and Kurama's influence
Ever asked yourself why Naruto has these whisker-esque features on his face? It's easy to dismiss this as a design decision alone though. These marks were a result of Naruto being exposed to Kurama's chakra even before he was born. His mother, Kushina, was Kurama's former host, and this initial contact made an impression on Naruto—quite literally.
Even more interestingly, this design choice isn't limited to Naruto himself.
Every other Jinchuriki has elements that represent their tailed beast. Gaara, for instance, has a very distinct feature of racoon-like eye shadows, which is a consequence of his relationship with Shukaku, the One-Tail.
Kurama's rivalries: Kitsune vs Tanuki
In Japanese folklore, the fox (kitsune) and raccoon dog (tanuki) are frequently portrayed as rivals. This classic rivalry is seen in early Naruto with Kurama and Shukaku, and their Jinchuriki hosts, Naruto and Gaara.
Both begin as antagonists and rivals, but become friends and allies later on in the story, which not only connects to the myth, but serves as an excellent character development arc.
Naruto's original fox form
Before Naruto was the series we all think of today, creator Masashi Kishimoto had produced a one-shot pilot chapter where Naruto wasn't a ninja—but rather a fox spirit in human form. While this early design direction was eventually abandoned, many of these initial concepts carried over into the final look making his whisker marks and relationship with the Nine-Tails still part of Naruto today.
Why Kurama matters so much in Naruto's story
Kurama might be a source of incredible potency and a great driving force in Naruto's character design. He embodies Naruto's greatest personal hurdle. Learning how to harness the power of the Nine-Tails was an integral step in his development into a true hero. By accepting Kurama for who he is, Naruto becomes a stronger person. More powerful, sure, but more compassionate.
Kurama is anime's most famous fox for a reason
Kurama is not just a fierce anime beast. He's the bridge between contemporary interpretation and ancestral Japanese mythological stories. By mixing rich mythology with emotional character work, Naruto transformed a fearsome nine-tailed fox straight from Japanese folklore into one of the best known characters in the world. Whether you're a long-time keeper of the Spirit World as a fan or only just now realizing what you've been missing with the show, understanding Kurama's roots definitely adds a whole new level to his character's beautiful story.
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