Renshi zhuan

Renshi zhuan (任氏传) [The Story of Lady Ren] is a Chinese supernatural tale by Shen Jiji (c.800). The story tells of the romance between a man and a fox that takes the form of a beautiful woman.

AuthorShen Ji-ji,
Original title任氏传 ["Renshi zhuan"]
LanguageChinese

Plot

Zheng falls in love with a woman from Chang'an. Even though he discovers she is actually a fox he continues the relationship and they begin to live together. The 'fox' helps Zheng become rich and successful. However, when Zheng and his wife journey for Zheng to take up an official post they are espied by the Emperor's hounds - Zheng's wife reverts to her true form, and is killed by the hounds.[1]

Legacy

Shen JiJi's Renshi zhuan is thought to have invented the 'fox romance' genre, and as such influenced works such as the Liaozhai Zhiyi; it was popular during the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, and was included several compilations including the Yu Chu zhi (虞初志), and Taiping Guangji (太平廣記).[2]

References
  1. Idema, Wilt; Haft, Lloyd (1997), "A Guide to Chinese Literature", Michigan Monographs in Chinese Studies, 74, p. 136
  2. Huntington, Rania (2003), Alien Kind: Foxes and Late Imperial Chinese Narrative, pp. 225–6


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