Kitsune: The Trickiest Kind of Fox

 Name: Lucy Hill

Kitsune may just be the coolest kind of fox you will ever learn about. Kitsune are mythological foxes or foxlike creatures, some people just call them foxes and others believe they aren’t enough like a real fox to be called one. Kitsune originated in Japan and are very important in all aspects of their culture like religion, entertainment, art, fashion, and more. (Encyclopedia Brittanica).

“Kitsune.” Mythical Creatures Information. 

There are thought to be two types of kitsune, good and bad. All possess many interesting characteristics. Kitsune are believed to live for hundreds or thousands of years and get wiser and more powerful as they age. The most prominent power kitsune are known for is metamorphosis or shapeshifting. It is believed by many that when kitsune reach one hundred years old, they gain the ability to shapeshift. The good or holy kitsune use their powers for good and are seen to be god’s messengers. They use their powers to protect people, give good luck, and get rid of evil spirits. Bad or wild foxes are kitsune that use their powers for evil or for pranking and tricks. They take the shape of certain people and trick the people close to them or just play around (Yokai). 

The myth of kitsune originated from a time when foxes were commonly seen in Japan in people’s everyday lives. These believed powers of foxes stemmed from people being near them and observing their behavior (Japan Primavera). Joshua Furr, an avid lover and researcher of all things Japan and Japanese culture, wrote an article about Kitsune on Edge of Niigata. In his article, he goes into three different parts of life in Japan that kitsune are involved in. These are the divine (religion), the delicious (food), and the legend (art and mythology). The divine refers to kitsune being associated with the goddess Inari of prosperity, because of this connection, kitsune are often found on shrines of Inari. The delicious refers to kitsune’s connections with food. Since the goddess Inari is associated with  agricultural bounty, so are kitsune. Farmers have a special relationship with kitsune, believing they kept pests away and as a peace offering would leave them dead mice to eat. The legend refers to the mythology around kitsune. In Japanese folklore, kitsune are the only foxes that can get married, this is often shown in art and myths written about them (Edge of Niigata). 

Overall, kitsune are very wise and interesting creatures. Whether they are working for good or evil, they are a large part of all aspects of Japanese culture.

Works Cited:

Ancient Origins. “Beware the Kitsune, The Shapeshifting Fox of Japanese Folklore.” Ancient Origins: Unravelling the Mysteries of the Past. 10 Oct. 2024. https://www.ancientorigins.net/myths-legends-asia/kitsune-0012027.

Furr, Joshua. “Tails of Kitsune: The Many Faces of Niigata’s Mysterious Fox.” Edge of Niigata, 28 June 2023. Tails Of Kitsune: The Many Faces of Niigata's Mysterious Fox | Edge of Niigata.

Martin, Roland. “Kitsune Japanese Folklore.” Encyclopedia Brittanica, 28 Mar. 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/kitsune.

Yokai Database. “Kitsune.” Yokai Database for Japanese Folklore, 17 September 2021. https://yokai.com/kitsune/.

Zaicek, Vladimir. “Kitsune- The Fox of a Thousand Appearances.” Japan Primavera, 10 Oct. 2024. https://www.japanprimavera.com/gb/blog/articoli-del-blog/kitsune-the-fox-of-athousand-appearances.

Links to further research:

Mythological Creatures Information: Kitsune - Japanese fox spirits | mythicalcreatures.info This source dives deeply into the origin of the mythological creature and the stories created around the creature.

Japanese Oni Masks: What is Kitsune? Types - Tales & Everything You Need to Know – Japanese Oni Masks  This sources dives deeply into all sorts of types of kitsune depicted in Japanese mythology and culture.

Bokksu: Kitsune: The Enigmatic Fox of Japanese Folklore – Bokksu This source dives deeply into how kitsune are involved in religion and spirituality in Japan.