also: かそ
noun
fire rat; huoshu
A mythical creature from Chinese legend, said to live in fire and whose fur could be woven into fire-resistant cloth. The term appears in classical and fantasy contexts.
火鼠の皮衣は、竹取物語に登場する宝物の一つだ。
The robe made from fire-rat fur is one of the treasures that appear in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
中国の伝説では、火鼠は火の中に住むとされている。
In Chinese legend, the fire rat is said to live inside fire.
From Chinese 火鼠 (huǒshǔ), literally 'fire rat'. The Japanese readings are ひねずみ (kun'yomi) and かそ (on'yomi).