The (also called the or the ) is a Japanese legend that takes place in the Awa Province (now Tokushima Prefecture). The legend is about a great war between two tanuki powers.
There are several well-known tales about tanuki in Shikkoku, and this one is said to be the most famous among those from Tokushima. This story first appeared near the end of the Edo Period, and in literature, it was first published in Meiji 43 (1910) under the title "Shikoku Kidan Jissetsu Furudanuki Gassen" (四国奇談実説古狸合戦). It was a kōdan from the Meiji period until the time of the war and gained popularity in the beginning of the Showa period as it became depicted in movies. In the Heisei period, it has become a common theme in community development and is widely known in Tokushima Prefecture.
Legend
The story took place around the tenpō period (from 1830 to 1844) near Higaino in Komatsushima (now Higaino-chō in the city of Komatsushima, Tokushima). A dyer named Moemon (茂右衛門), who ran a dyeing shop called Yamatoya (大和屋), saved a tanuki who was being bullied by people. Before long, Yamatoya's business was flourishing. Eventually, the tanuki came to serve as the guardian angel of Mankichi, who worked at the shop, and told of his origins. This tanuki was called Kinchō (金長) and he was chief of the local tanuki, aged around 206 years old. While around Mankichi, Kinchō performed great services such as curing customers' diseases and performing divination, gaining himself a great reputation.
A few years later, Kinchō/Mankichi decided to try to raise his rank in society beyond that of a mere tanuki, so he became an apprentice to the bake-danuki, Rokuemon (六右衛門?), who lived in Tsuda Bay, Myōdō District. After much training, Kinchō displayed great accomplishments and almost achieved the rank of Senior First Rank. Rokuemon, loath to let go of Kinchō, tried to make him stay as a son-in-law through marriage to his daughter. However, Kinchō felt obliged to return to Moemon, and furthermore disliked Rokuemon's cruel personality, so he refused.
Unsatisfied with this, Rokuemon thought that Kinchō would eventually become his enemy and, together with a vassal, tried to assassinate Kinchō. Kinchō, with the assistance of a tanuki from Higaino named Fuji no Kidera no Taka (藤ノ木寺の鷹), counterattacked. However, Taka died in battle, and only Kinchō was able to escape to Higaino.
Kinchō attempted to recruit followers in order to take revenge for Taka, and started a battle with Rokuemon and his followers. In this battle, Kinchō's army won and Rokuemon was bitten to death, but Kinchō suffered mortal wounds and died afterwards before long.
It is said that Moemon, in regret for how Kinchō lost his life just before achieving the rank of Senior First Rank, went himself to Kyoto's priest at the Yoshida Shrine, and awarded him the title of Senior First Rank.
Around the time of this battle, it was rumored that Kinchō's army was gathering at the Chinju Forest in preparation for battle against Rokuemon. When people entered the forest for sight-seeing, they heard much clamour and saw the footprints of a great number of tanuki, leading to speculation that the rumours of a battle were not simply lies or fairy tales.
Variation
The exact story varies depending on the source, which is often seen to be the result of being influenced by a certain kōdan. Rokuemon's daughter's name was Koyasuhime (小安姫). She was greatly in love with Kinchō, and criticized Rokuemon for trying to attack Kinchō, and finally committed suicide in an attempt to make him feel guilt. However, Koyasuhime's death only increased Rokuemon's hatred. Also, Kinchō, upon hearing the death of Koyasu who loved him, became more determined to bring down Rokuemon. The battle took place around Katsuura River, Kinchō's and Rokuemon's army were both more than 600 tanuki, and the battle lasted for 3 days and nights. Shibaemon-tanuki from Awaji Island also took part in the battle. Despite receiving a mortal wound, Kinchō desperately returned to Higaino and told thanks to Moemon before losing his final strength. Moemon, moved by seeing this and how he lived, deified Kinchō as a daimyōjin (wisdom god). On the verge of death, Kinchō became a spirit and served as Mankichi's guardian spirit, and swore to serve as a god for the Moemon family even after death, as an act of gratitude. Moemon, moved by this, deified Kinchō as a daimyōjin (wisdom god). After Kinchō and Rokuemon's deaths, their sons started fighting in grief over Kinchō and Rokuemon, but Tasaburō-tanuki intervened and mediated, ending the war.