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霊狐 (れいこ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

霊れい狐こ

Meanings

1

noun

supernatural fox; spirit fox

A fox with magical or spiritual powers, often appearing in Japanese folklore and mythology. Compare with 妖狐 (ようこ), a similar term.

See also: 妖狐

昔むかし話ばなしには、霊れい狐こが人にん間げんに化ばけて村むらに現あらわれる話はなしがある。
In old tales, there are stories of spirit foxes disguising themselves as humans and appearing in villages.
この神じん社じゃは霊れい狐こを祀まつっていると言いわれている。
This shrine is said to enshrine a spirit fox.

Kanji

霊spirits, soul
狐fox

Similar words

妖よう狐こ
妖狐 also refers to a supernatural fox, often with a more bewitching or demonic nuance, while 霊狐 emphasizes spiritual or sacred aspects.

Etymology

Compound of 霊 (れい, 'spirit') and 狐 (こ, 'fox'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term is used in Japanese folklore to describe foxes with supernatural abilities.