A fire-rat (火鼠) is a yōkai rat native to China. According to The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, as well as the InuYasha series, its fur has special properties, among which is an immunity to flames and serves as armor that can repel any normal attacks while retaining the weight of fabric, providing both protection and mobility. A robe made of this material fell into the possession of the Lord of the Western Lands, the Inu no Taishō, who passed it on to his wife, Izayoi, who then passed it on to their son, Inuyasha.