Similarities and Differences about Fox Stories in Chinese and Japanese Zhiguai Novels——Taking Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio and Yasōkidan as Examples

This paper focuses on the fox stories in Chinese and Japanese Zhiguai novels, taking Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio written by Pu Songling in the Qing Dynasty and Yasōkidan by Ishikawa Kosai in the Meiji Period of Japan as typical cases. In terms of similarities, the fox spirits in both works generally possess supernatural abilities, can change their forms, cast spells, and also display many human characteristics, such as emotions and desires. Both show the interaction between fox spirits and humans. The image of the fox reflects social reality and the good and evil of human nature. The differences are significant. First of all, the influence of cultural background is the main reason for the difference in the images of fox demons between the two. The fox in Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio are often portrayed as complex characters with emotions and moral qualities, influenced by Confucian and Taoist thought, and embodying a human side. In Yasōkidan, fox spirits often present more weird and mysterious characteristics, which is closely related to Japan's unique religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Secondly, in terms of narrative style, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio mainly revolves around themes such as love and friendship, with twists and turns in the plot and romance; Yasōkidan focuses more on fantasy and horror elements. Finally, in terms of theme and meaning, the fox demon stories in Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio often explore human nature, morality and social issues, while Yasōkidan incorporates more thinking about science and superstition in the context of the times. This thematic difference reflects the different cultural attitudes and social backgrounds of the two countries when it comes to supernatural phenomena. Through comparison, we can gain a deeper understanding of the influence of different cultural backgrounds of China and Japan on the creation of supernatural novels, and provide a new perspective for cross-cultural literary research.