Most tales of kitsune are about foxes punishing wicked priests, greedy merchants, and boastful drunkards. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make sacrifices to them as to a deity.Ĭonversely foxes were often seen as "witch animals", especially during the superstitious Edo period (1603–1867), and were thought of as goblins who could not be trusted (similar to some badgers and cats).
The more tails a kitsune has – they may have as many as nine – the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto " kami," or " spirit," and serve as its messengers. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others – as foxes in folklore often do – other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.įoxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. According to Yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. Stories depict legendary foxes as intelligent beings and as possessing paranormal abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Kitsune (狐, キツネ, IPA: ) in the literal sense is the Japanese word for "fox". Sionnach Sidhe (Foxes of the Fairy Mounds)
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