Fox (Nankichi Niimi)

A short story by Nankichi Niimi, an author sometimes referred to as the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan. First published in Japanese in 1943 and now translated into English. Originally written for children, but enjoyable for all ages, young and old.

One night, a group of children travel from their home village to a festival in the next town over, but one boy struggles with the trip because of his oversized geta sandals. As he acquires a new pair, a strange old woman gives the group a ominous warning - "They say that if you wear new geta for the first time around night time, then you'll be possessed by a fox." Could there be any truth to these unsettling words...?

Length: 7 pages

Translator: Jacob Saunders

(Original Japanese version published - 10/09/1943

English translation first published - 28/04/2025)