The mountains are mysterious places, filled with just as many wonders as there are dangers. Kondo was a man who had experienced both in one night, and he was very lucky that he lived to tell the tale.

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Kondo's friend lived in the next village over, so anytime he went to visit he'd set out early in the morning so he could return before dark. During one visit to his friend's village there came a raging blizzard. Kondo wanted to get home to his family, for they would worry in his absence, but his friend urged him to spend the night. No use braving the blizzard if you cannot see, his friend reasoned.

Kondo stayed for the next few days until the winds subsided and the snow ceased to fall. Though it was late afternoon Kondo decided he had been away from home long enough. His friend gave him a new straw coat and pair of thick boots. He was also given some food and a gourd of hot tea for the road.

Thanking his friend, Kondo set out on the long walk home.

He took the usual route out between the frozen fields and into the forest path that led up to the mountain. He'd taken this path many times before, knowing where it bent and curved through the woods. He knew where the hares usually made their dens not far from the fields, and of the fox trails that crossed further down the way. But even despite knowing his way home Kondo did not dare stray from the path. 

Beyond the known was the unknown, a place where he was not meant to go. Kondo respected the boundaries between the humans and the wilderness. Each had their own places in life. Humans belonged mostly in the valleys where they could farm and build their cities. Yokai and animals belonged in the mountains where they could roam freely as they pleased. Anyone who lived in between or in the other's territory tread with caution, bowing their head to their hosts who allowed them passage.

Such was Kondo's attitude whenever he used this path. He could admire the woods from afar, but he was not a woodcutter or a yokai, so he stuck to the path.

By the time the moon reached its peak Kondo had made it to the fox trails, but something was not quite right. The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Turning his head right and left, Kondo put up his guard to whomever was there.

He hoped it wasn't yokai. He didn't want to deal with the fox spirits this late. He only wanted to get home.

But it wasn't the foxes, Kondo realized. Dozens of footsteps surrounded him from the shadows, boots crunching in the snow. Wicked laughs accompanied wicked grins as the robbers circled him. Kondo turned to run away, but someone shoved him into the snow. Falling hard on his face, the last thing Kondo remembered was the bright moon illuminating the fox trails up ahead.

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When Kondo awoke he was shivering with cold. With horror he realized he'd been robbed, not just of his food and drink but of all his clothes. He pushed himself up from the cold ground and hugged his arms. His hair was in disarray and his skin was blue with cold. Teeth chattering, the man braved his way forward. He might die of pneumonia tonight, but if he should die then he'd at least die trying to go home.

Groaning, Kondo hoped that there wouldn't be another storm tonight. He really would perish if it got any colder!

As he walked further down, he noticed something against one of the trees not far from the edge of the path. Coming closer, he could make out a white fur cloak, accompanied by a white kimono and a pair of red boots trimmed with fur. 

Puzzled at this find, Kondo looked around. The robbers had gone, and there were no yokai in sight. 

Though tales warn of taking mysterious things from the mountain, Kondo knew he would die if he didn't. He offered a prayer to the mountain spirits, begging the he be allowed to use these fine clothes for just the night until he got home. In return he would offer gifts of food and drink for the spirits' generosity. 

Then he put on the kimono and boots, draping the fur cloak across his shoulders. The clothes were very comfortable and the boots very warm. The cloak was soft and the fur made Kondo wish he could nap on the spot. Now fully dressed, Kondo easily made his way home.

He arrived at midnight, waking his family in the process. They gathered around him to express their worries, for they thought he had died. Kondo quickly explained to them that he'd taken refuge from the storm at his friend's house for the past few days. He did not mention the robbers, nor the strange clothes, which his family noted were very fashionable.

Kondo put on his own clothes to bed, leaving the mountain garments hanging by the fire to dry. Tomorrow he would bring the clothes back to the mountain, along with the offerings he'd promised the spirits.

When dawn came and Kondo woke, he was surprised to find that the mountain clothes were missing. As none of his family was awake he wondered if they'd all been an illusion.

Illusion or not, Kondo had to fulfil his promise. He spent the morning cooking rice, adding bits of dried vegetables for extra flavour. Shaping the rice into triangular-shaped balls, Kondo put on his own cloak and shoes and set out for the mountain.

At the edge of the mountain woods he set the rice balls down in a piece of cloth for the spirits. He offered another prayer of thanks for their service, expressing that it had been an honour to wear their clothes if just for one night.

As he turned to leave Kondo heard a rustling from the woods. Slowly, he glanced over his shoulder to see a pair of glowing eyes peek out from the shadows. From between the trees emerged a magnificent fox with brilliant white fur. The man froze in his tracks, worried that any sudden movements would spook the beast.

The fox hesitated when it spotted Kondo, fixing him with a hard stare. When the man made no movement the fox's shoulders relaxed. It made its way out from the trees and to where the rice balls were laid. Carefully, it bit into one of the rice balls, licking its lips with its tongue. Then it picked up the edges of the cloth between its teeth, and carried the rest of the offerings like a sack back into the woods.

Kondo was dumbfounded at what he had seen, but he decided it was best not to pursue. He had already paid back what he owed, and now it was time to go home.