The concept of the [Nine Bijuu](http://www.narutoforums.com/showthread.php?t=57918) is based off Japanese mythology, although there are some parallels Kishimoto does not follow though completely with the myths. It seems like Kishimoto is purposely using names with different kanji, but the same pronunciation, such as Kokuou in *Naruto* is 穆王 (majestic/respectful king), while Kokuou from *Hokuto no Ken* is 黒王 (black king). For Kurama, the Nine-tails, in Naruto it is 九喇嘛 (9 lamas/high priests), the real life Mount [Kurama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kurama) is 鞍馬 (saddle horse), and in *Yu Yu Hakusho* 蔵馬 (hiding/ownership/storehouse horse). The Bijuu (尾獣) ----- - **Juubi**, the Ten-tails, is a reference to [Ame-no-hitotsu-no-kami](http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E7%9B%AE%E4%B8%80%E7%AE%87%E7%A5%9E), the Shinto god of iron-working and blacksmiths, [Datara](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/ippondatara/), and/or [Daidarabotchi](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/daidarabocchi/). The former for it's ability to forge living thing out of metal and the latter for giant size. ![Bijus in child form][1] - **Kyuubi**: 九喇嘛 (クラマ; Kurama), the Nine-tails, is a reference to the [kitsune](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/kitsune/) in Japanese mythology. The name Kurama probably named after the mountain in Japan. It is said to be home of the Tengu God Sojobo and, more importantly, the location where the technique Reiki was first learned. Reiki is the art of using chakra (universal energy) to heal other people. This ties Naruto's life giving energy ability he gains after tapping into the nine-tails chakra. Here is the Wikipedia breakdown of [Reiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki): > "Reiki is commonly written as 霊気 in shinjitai kanji or as レイキ in katakana syllabary. It compounds the words rei (霊: "spirit, miraculous, divine") and ki (気 "gas, vital energy, breath of life, consciousness"). The ki (better known as Chinese qi or ch'i) in reiki is understood as meaning "spiritual energy; vital energy; life force; energy of life" - **Hachibi**: 牛鬼 (ぎゆうき; Gyuuki), the Eight-tails, is based off the [Ushi-Oni](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/ushioni/), a sea creature commonly seen with an ox head and the body of another multi-limbed creature. The name Gyuuki (cow demon) is another of Ushi-Oni. - **Nanabi/Shichibi**: 重明 (ちようめい; Choumei), the Seven-tails, is probably based off the rhinoceros beetle which are said to be amongst the strongest creatures on the planet in relation to their own size. The name most likely is a reference to Choumei is named after [Kamo no Choumei](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamo_no_Ch%C5%8Dmei), a 12th century poet who secluded himself on society, took Buddhist vows, and became a hermit living outside the capital. Choumei is most famous for his writings that were mostly about nature and natural events. If you recall from the manga, two (Han and Fuu) of the previously unseen captured Jinchuuriki's were outcasts that were abandoned by their village when Akatsuki came to capture them. - **Rokubi**: 犀犬 (さいけん; Saiken), the Six-tails, Saiken is based off the turban-shell snail demon, [Sazae Oni](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/sazaeoni/). The name comes from a compilation of Chinese legends called ["In Search of the Supernatural"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Search_of_the_Supernatural). The Saiken (犀犬) in one of the stories (地中犀犬) is a type of dog-like creatures with closed eyes, the size of small dogs, that like underground in pairs (male and female). - **Gobi**: 穆王 (こくおう; Kokuou), the Five-tails, is a reference to the the hanging horse head demon, [Sagari](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/sagari/), and the ghost whale demon, [Bakekujira](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/bakekujira/). Typically Kokuou translates to "king" (国王) in Japanese, referring to a "lesser king," one below the emperor. The original name probably is a throwback to Chinese legend of [King Mu of Zhou](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Mu_of_Zhou) (周穆王). - **Yonbi**: 孫悟空 (そんごくう; Son Gokuu), the Four-tails, is a reference to the [Satori](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satori_(folklore)), an ape-like creature that can read minds. The name Son Gokuu is obviously a reference to the [Monkey King](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Wukong) in Journey to the West. - **Sanbi**: 磯撫 (いそぶ; Isobu), the Three tails, is probably based of a combination of the spirit of eaten-turtles that haunt those that harmed it, [Suppon no Yurei](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/supponnoyurei/) and/or the amorphous sea monster, [Umibozu](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/umibozu/). Isopu is probably a reference to the shark-like demon sea monster with a barbed tail fin, [Isonade](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/isonade/). - **Nibi**: 又旅 (またたび; Matatabi), the Two-tails, is a referenced to the forked cat demon, [Netomata](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/nekomata/). Matatabi is named after the [Silver Vine or Cat Powder](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinidia_polygama) a plant herb similar to a [hardy kiwi vine](http://landscaping.about.com/od/vineplants1/p/kiwis.htm). Used as a healing herb for cats and affects them in a similar way as catnip. When ground up, it is used in herbal teas and bath salts. - **Ichibi**: 守鶴 (しゆかく; Shukaku), the One-tail, is a reference to the shapeshifting racoon demon, [Tanuki](http://www.obakemono.com/obake/tanuki/). The Naruto One-tail bijuu shares several tanuki archetypes. One is from the [Bunbuku Chagama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunbuku_Chagama) tale, where a tanuki transforms into a tea kettle. In the series, the One-tail is said to have been sealed within one. Other versions of the taunki tale tell of the shrine priest being a tanuki in disguise, which ties into how the One-tail was supposedly corrupted a Hidden Sand priest. The name "Shukaku" probably refers to the priest of this tale. [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/PCqlL.jpg