Nine Tails chronicles how the nine Kitamura brothers (powerful
kitsune serving Inari) find love as they watch over the Ibuki family. The
series is best read in order. Each volume builds upon the mythology of the fox
spirits and reveals more about the two families the series follows.
Reading Order:
What is a kitsune?
Kitsune means "fox". In folklore, a kitsune is a fox spirit with
transmutation abilities. They are wise and clever but often mischievous. You can read more here.
The Kitamura Brothers:
Masaki
Daisuke
Hatori
Kazuma
Shigure
Satoshi
Nori
Moriaki
Takahiro
Kazuma
Shigure
Satoshi
Nori
Moriaki
Takahiro
Tomoe was one of Inari’s most favored kitsune, and he was
old and wise enough to have nine tails. But he proved unworthy of them when he
raped a young girl who was dear to Inari, and the great kami banished him and cut
off his tails as punishment. The moment was so charged with pain that something
magical happened, though Inari had not willed it. Tomoe’s nine tails all
scurried away, and once Tomoe had been cast out, they emerged as tiny fox cubs
to comfort Inari in her grief. They became her most honored servants, carrying
her messages and doing her will throughout the world.
But Inari knew she could not hold them forever. On the one-year
anniversary of their birth, she took them up to a high tower and gave each a
sacred object. She told them to fling the objects into the mist, saying they
would return to them one day and grant each of them free will.
And now, as each kitsune finds his fated mate, the objects
are returning.
The Ibuki Family:
Akira, 43, the eldest son and present head of the family
Nanami, 38, the only daughter, married to an American professor named Joshua
Kenjin, 28, writer and college instructor
Satoru, 26, landscape architect, engaged to Chloe Anderson
Hiro, 23, painter
Takumi, 20, college student
Kaoru Nakamura, 25, florist (cousin)
Ichiro Nakamura, 35, account manager (cousin)
Why do the Kitamura brothers watch over the Ibuki family?
Fuyuhiko and Tohro Ibuki (the great grandparents of the current generation) sought blessings from Inari. One of the kitsune brothers answered their pleas and offered them a choice. They'd asked for help conceiving a child and avoiding financial ruin, and the kitsune said they could either have a child or great wealth but not both. They chose a child without hesitation, so Inari blessed them with both. They became indebted to Inari and the nine kitsune, who may each ask for tribute from the family once a year. In return, they continue to watch over and protect the Ibuki family, as does Inari.
Nanami, 38, the only daughter, married to an American professor named Joshua
Kenjin, 28, writer and college instructor
Satoru, 26, landscape architect, engaged to Chloe Anderson
Hiro, 23, painter
Takumi, 20, college student
Kaoru Nakamura, 25, florist (cousin)
Ichiro Nakamura, 35, account manager (cousin)
Other Recurring Characters
Tomoe - the "father" of the 9 brothers
Kilana – kitsune-tsukai ("fox witch") who once tried
to trap Masaki
Toyohiko - the "family doctor" for the kitsune, once a mortal man
Toyohiko - the "family doctor" for the kitsune, once a mortal man
Chloe Anderson, 23 – Satoru’s fiancee/wife
Connor Anderson, 23 – Chloe’s twin brother
Benjamin O'Neill, 42 - a friend of Akira's from college
Benjamin O'Neill, 42 - a friend of Akira's from college
Leah - bass player in Nori's band
Hikaru - drummer in Nori's band
Hikaru - drummer in Nori's band
Why do the Kitamura brothers watch over the Ibuki family?
Fuyuhiko and Tohro Ibuki (the great grandparents of the current generation) sought blessings from Inari. One of the kitsune brothers answered their pleas and offered them a choice. They'd asked for help conceiving a child and avoiding financial ruin, and the kitsune said they could either have a child or great wealth but not both. They chose a child without hesitation, so Inari blessed them with both. They became indebted to Inari and the nine kitsune, who may each ask for tribute from the family once a year. In return, they continue to watch over and protect the Ibuki family, as does Inari.
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