Kitsune Lore

Kit LaHaise

1997

Contents
1 Content
Foreword 1

2 Prelude: Who helped out, and how this is possible. 2

3 Introduction: What kitsune? 4

4 Kami: Kitsune and their spiritual nature 5

5 Inari: Kitsune, the different types, and the religion that

surrounds them. 6

6 Possession: Different means to interact. 11

7 Feeding: Tapping the land, and vampirism. 13

8 Magic: Kitsune abilities, foxmagic, and foxtails. 14

9 Names and Famous Kitsune 17

1 Content
Foreword
After three years of studying kitsune, I feel confident enough to try to make
an organized list of kitsune lore, a bit of culture, and some theories on
the background and reasons for many of the kitsune myths and legends.It
would be hard to seperate speculation from the legends of kitsune. There
is no guide to kitsune society out there, all we have are the legends and
stories, really, and as such, each person has to make their own conclusions
to what all these stories mean.

1
 Personally, I think looking at the legends themselves only scratches the
surface of what makes a kitsune do what they do. It also requires an un-
derstanding, to some extent, of kami, oriental traditions, and customs, as
well as a knowledge of oriental spirituality. Calling a kitsune a simple spirit
fox, or demon fox isnt enough. Finding out why is also important.
My first two attempts at making this thesis on the kitsune were met with
mixed reactions, though overall, I feel it was taken well enough, to warrant
me attempting to make the information more organized for those who care
to use it.
To those of you who have read this, and given your own insights into
the kitsune, I thank you. This is for you, for the most part. Your support
and words of advice mean a lot, and have helped me continue to learn and
understand what the kitsune are about, in spite of criticism and words of
contempt.
To those who are reading this for the first time, I hope this answers a
lot of questions, and I also hope that you dont take this as gospel. Ive
been given the compliment of being one of the more knowledgable people
online in matters of the kitsune, but as I mention above, and later, a lot
of personal opinion has crept into this work. I am not, in my opinion, an
authority. Yes, I have read a lot of work, and yes, I have tried my best to
answer a lot of my own questions, as well as those of others, but this doesnt
mean I have all the answers, or that I have come to all the right conclusions.
A lot in here, I still question myself.
Reader beware.
Instead, please read this, and then make your own conclusions. If they
dont match mine, so be it. If you can aid me, or help me find more insight,
then you have done me a great favour, and I thank you.
So welcome, read on, and enjoy.
Foxtrot
December, 1997

2 Prelude: Who helped out, and how this is pos-

sible.
The legends of the kitsune are filled with contradictions and mystery. From
their origins in India, through the orient, to Japan, they have gone through
many changes, and have evolved from trickster spirits into priests, heroes,
protectors, lords, and family guardians. They are the lowest villain, tor-
menting peasants for food and sport, to the personal aides of Emperors,
protecting them from threats that could mean the death of all their people.
This thesis is for those who wish to know the kitsune, whether for per-
sonal use, or perhaps as a background for a story, or a game. I add to this

2
as I learn, and while I do not claim to be an expert, I am willing to stand
by what I have written here.
Sources
Kitsune: Japans Fox of Mystery, Romance, and Humour
by Kiyoshi Nozaki
This, perhaps, is the largest source of information of kitsune lore Ive
ever seen. If it wasnt for this book, I would not have even a tenth of the
information I do have.
This book has many, many legends of kitsune. It also mentions the 13
races of kitsune, though it was through research that I learned that this may
be tied to the thirteen elements.
FoxKnight (Ben Ludwig) A friend on alt.horror.werewolves
FoxKnight is someone who deserves special thanks when it comes to my
gaining of critical information. From him, I have learned of the kitsunes role
in modern Japan, I have learned of how kitsune are different from province
to province, and we have had long discussions about their theological and
cultural significance. He has studied the religion of Japan, and has looked
into the kitsunes place there, so I list him here as a source. To him, I give
thanks.
Anthony Kitsune from FurryMUCK
Anthony has done an amazing effort in collecting information on not
only the kitsune, but on the foxs role in cultures in the West as well. Un-
fortunately for me, I am biased to attempt to keep my data limited to the
kitsune, and the East, but I do suggest that others contact him if they wish
another point of view on the kitsune, and the fox.
Kij Johnson Author of the short story Fox Magic
This was a wonderful short story, showing how things could have looked
from a kitsunes point of view. She has, from what I heard, written an actual
novel now that follows in the footsteps of this short story, but Ive yet to
read it.
ShadowFox
I dont know who ShadowFox is, but he was nice enough to give some
terms for the different types of kitsune out there. I will list the names later,
but I wish to give him the credit he is due. So, to you, ShadowFox, special
thanks!
Myrla (http://myrla.tripod.com)
Myrla gets a very special thank you, for giving me the book Kitsune
thats listed up above. If it was not for her, I would have none of the
information you see here. Thank you!

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3 Introduction: What kitsune?
Note: As far as this thesis is concerned, the word fox and kitsune are
interchangable. This is because kitsune means fox in Japan. Better to
mention this now, and save confusion later, ne?
The best way to start this is by using an excerpt from Kitsune, the book
mentioned earlier. It is simple, and right to the point.
Kitsune is an animal supposed to be mysterious, fascinating,
and mischevious. And he is believed to be very grateful for
the kindness done to him, as seen in many tales, and is also
affectionate as revealed in some dramas. He is enshrined as a
god because of his supernatural power. He is endowed with the
subtle art of metamorphosis, and he is able to bewitch men in
the guise of a charming girl. An exceedingly interesting and
entertaining beast Kitsune is. (preface, page vii)
It is interesting to note that in this introduction, he mentioned he is
able to bewitch men in the guise of a charming girl. This is not a mistake
at all. The kitsune are an effeminate race. Almost all kitsune, in the first
place, are female, and those who are male are not shown to be overly so. The
occupations that the kitsune take, and their mannerisms, are traditionally
those of women in the orient.
The author also states that kitsune, in their current manifestation, were
introduced to Japan from China and Korea. The Japanese liked the kitsune
so much, that it was adapted to the Japanese culture, and went through an
amazing metamorphosis.
The kitsune were first found, though, in India. The spiritual ties the
kitsune have, and their role as tricksters are a part of Indian spirituality,
very similar to the Ruksasha. In fact, the White Ghost Tiger of China,
an enemy of the Chinese kitsune, is most likely a translation of the enmity
the Indian fox and the Ruksasha most likely had. The kitsunes powers
of illusion are also in common with the powers the Ruksasha had. As a
last point of reference, the Ruksasha were known to devour mortals. The
kitsune, according to some legends, also has vampiric tendencies, though
instead of for mortal flesh, it is for mortal spirit. More on this later.
The word kitsune comes from two sounds in the Japanese language,
kitsu, which is the sound of a fox yelp, and ne, a word signifying affectionate
feeling. In ancient times, kitsu meant fox.
Depending on where you look, the kitsune have many forms, or appear-
ances. This includes being foxes with magical powers, spirits who possess
humans, the spirits of the dead, choosing the form of a fox instead of resting
eternally, or simply spirits in their own right.
Trying to place a common thread on this, I decided to look at the kitsune
from the spiritual point of view, and follow the thread as to why there are

4
so many differences in the stories. This required a look at possession, at
first, and then at some other myths and legends dealing with the spirits of
nature, and of the dead.
An exerpt from a recent email I recieved:

The new religion known in Japan as the Dancing Religion re-

cently published an article which accuses Asahara Shoko, founder
of the religion Aum Shinrikyo (the religion which gassed the
Tokyo subway in March 1995, resulting in twelve deaths and
thousands of serious injuries) of forcing his followers to become
possessed by fox-spirits independent of Inari. The writer of the
article remarks that Aum Shinrikyo followers exhibitobvious
signs of fox possession and lists a few, including moving like a
fox and having the look of ones soul being drawn out of ones
eyes.

4 Kami: Kitsune and their spiritual nature

Kitsune, if accepted in their role as spirits, are at their core, kami. Kami are
spirits of nature, in tune with the elements of the realm, and as such possess
many abilities. A lot of the common folk in Japan would give offerings and
worship the kami that resided nearby, and the kitsune were no exception.
Many legends, however, also place a lifespan on kitsune. From 900 years
to 1000 years. From what I can guess, this is how long a kitsune can keep a
mortal form. After this, the kitsune has gained enough wisdom/power, that
they leave, and rejoin the Celestial Courts. Kitsune of over 900 years are
few and far between, and very, very powerful.
As a spirit, kitsune require a connection to their element. This, from
what I can gather, means that the kitsune usually stays in a domain bearing
the kitsunes element, or at least a natural representation of it. The kitsunes
connection to the element fuels the kitsune, giving them powers associated
with the element. By drawing on the domain, the kitsune stays healthy.
Some restrictions would apply to kitsune, due to their nature, and be-
cause of their presence in Japanese society. These include some of the more
traditional taboos of the orient:

1. As spirits, the kitsune are expected to serve the people who live on or
near the land. In exchance, the people offer gifts, and prayers to the
kitsune, to keep them happy. This is sort of a pact, where the kitsune
follow a code of etiquette, in exchange for being tended to.

2. Kami, even with the strength of immortality, and all their powers,
were still considered a lesser race. As such, they were restricted in
what they could do to mortals, and how much they could influence

5
 mortal lives. Mortals were the heroes of Japan, and kami, demon, or
god could not sway a mortal, unless the mortal broke tradition. As
long as this unwritten pact was kept, the mortal would win. This was,
in part, something of a celestial balance, which the orientals firmly
believe in.

For a kitsune to actively get involved, one strong requirement would be

for either a prayer or offering to be made to the kitsune, or for someone
to accept, willingly, the kitsunes presence and aid. Barring possession or
taking mortal form, the kitsune has the option of simply just appearing,
like any kami might. The kitsunes interference in mortal life in such a direct
manner would have to be few and far between, however, since doing so is a
disruption of the natural order, and would also take its toll on the land and
people around it.
Being summoned, or manifesting, takes a lot of power, to allow the kit-
sune to be there on the physical world. This is probably the most rare form
of kitsune appearance. Very few legends have the kitsune in her full power,
without a tie to the physical world. Vampire Princess Miyu has a kitsune
possessing a mortal, and being forced out to combat the main character in
its natural form, and some kitsune, like Tamamo-no-mae require the death
of many people.
A kitsune just appearing means either the walls of the spirit world
and the physical world are weak, or could possibly be taken as an omen.
Whatever the reason, a manifested kitsune is a very rare and very noticeable
event. Such a creature would require offerings, prayers, or some source of
energy to be able to appear, or to remain for long periods, and is most likely
in their domain.
Since the appearance of the kitsune is disruptive to natures balance,
the area they are in will most likely suffer. Sickness, blight, and other such
plagues would be part and parcel of the kitsunes ongoing existence. This is
one example of the kitsunes vampiric nature, as it drains the region to fuel
itself.
Different forms of manifestation include the true foxform, the human
form, or a combination of the two. In all cases, the kitsune is supernaturally
attractive. Also, considering that the kitsune is a spirit, it could transform
into any shape desired. Legends of kitsune transformation include trees,
stones, an entire forest, and other such phenomenon.

5 Inari: Kitsune, the different types, and the reli-

gion that surrounds them.
Kitsune in Japan are tied very close to Inari, the Shinto Fortune of Foxes
and Rice. The association of Inari and the kitsune have made kitsune very

6
pervasive, since the Inari shrine is one of the most famous, and most numer-
ous of any shrine in Japan. The symbol of Inari is the red torii (religious
gateway), with the image of two white foxes. The white fox was the messen-
ger of Inari, and shrines to Inari were found in almost every town, village,
private manor, garden, and geisha house.
Inari is the Fortune of Rice, as well as kitsune. The suffix ri is used in
many religious words, and was used with the word ine (rice crop), to show
the respect and reverence that the Japanese had for Inari. The lines between
the diefication of Inari, and his messengers, the kitsune, eventually became
blurred. It became practice to build shrines to the kitsune themselves, in-
stead of to Inari himself.
To quote Kitsune (page 12)

Some people think that the white foxes, the guardians and mes-
sengers of the shrine, are identical with the diety Inari...

Kitsune themselves are not dieties, but kami, spirits. It was almost
inevitable, though, that they would be given praise and have shrines built
to them, since this became standard practice to win the favour of all kami
in the region. With the known fickleness of the kitsune, and their whimsical
ways, it simply made sense to try to please them. The kitsunes ties to Inari
just paved the way.

... the god of foxes has never been deified in the Inari shrine
as the object of worship, though there is a tributary shrine ded-
icated exclusively to the sacred white foxes in the precincts of
the shrine...

The kitsune of Inari became important enough that even at Inari shrines,
they were given their own, special shrines. These white foxes are called
myobu. The word myobu is the name of a court-rank for ladies in Japan.
The kitsune were given special favour in Japan, including a caste within the
courts, for those who served Inari. This has a lot of significance, because it
means that kitsune are capable of being part of the royal lines during the
Fuedal Japan, or even earlier.
Kitsune gained the title, according to a legend, when a woman named
Shin-no-myobu proclaimed that her luck in finding a husband was granted
by the messenger kitsune of Inari. Since then, they have been named myobu.
The temple of Inari became first associated with kitsune, when a kitsune
couple sought shelter in the temple. They, and their five children, were
given sanctuary and protection by Inari, in exchange for their servitude.
Each swore ten oaths to Inari, and were given positions in the temple. Since
then, decendants have served Inari faithfully.

7
 The temple of Inari has two levels, the upper level, and the lower level.
The Upper Temple was served by the male kitsune, and the Lower Temple
was served by the female kitsune.
The male kitsunes name was Osusuki, and the females name was Ako-
machi. In some art depicting kitsune, the male is black, while the female
is white. Either the black fox or the white fox are good omens in oriental
culture, with the black fox being called genko, and the white fox being called
byako.
These oaths allow the kitsune to gain power through the shrine itself,
and to be able to live there, and find shelter. The kitsune, in turn, protects
those who work and live near the shrine, and aid those who come to them for
help. This especially applies to other kitsune. When a kitsune who doesnt
serve Inari, a nogitsune, starts harassasing the people near an Inari shrine,
they can come to the kitsune of Inari for aid. The myobu then track down
the offending nogitsune, and deal with it.
Following the culture of Japan, I can guess some of the other restrictions
of the myobu and other kitsune.
Myobu would be restricted from getting involved in mortal affairs. In
Japan, it is considered rude and improper for someone to get involved in
anothers matters. It insinuated that the offended party could not handle
their own affairs. The myobu would, being even more of an outsider than
most folk, have to either not get involved, or find a way to be asked.
Unlike the nogitsune, kitsune of the Inari temples were not the tricksters
and mischievous spirits of most legends. Instead, they were considered good
omens, and guardians. Hense the term guardian kitsune.
The Different Types of Kitsune
In the book Kitsune, there are listed thirteen different types of kitsune.
The named types, Celestial and Wild, are mostly associated with the kitsune
who follow Inari, and those who dont. In other words, the myobu and the
nogitsune.
The author only touches on the thirteen clans, unfortunately, and it took
much work to find out any more. The two hypotheses that came from further
research are either a) the kitsune are connected to the thirteen elements, or
b) there are thirteen provinces in Japan, and the kitsune are from each
province.
To be honest, I have no idea how many provinces are in Japan. If there
are thirteen, that doesnt rule out the idea of the kitsune being connected
to the thirteen elements.
All my research so far have come to the agreement on the kitsune being
connected to the thirteen elements, since the author of Kitsune has identified
Heaven and Dark kitsune. (Celestial kitsune and Void kitsune). Other
research has explained how other animal kami have connections to the other
elements, with tengu being connected to mountain, thunder, and heaven,
and tanuki being connected to forest and river. Finding information on

8
the tanuki and tengu have been hard, and I am certain if I gained more
information, other parallels would come up.
Below is the list of the thirteen elements, and what I have been able to
learn of kitsune who fall under these catagories. There is little that actually
comes out and says directly whether this is true or not, but from what I have
read on kitsune, and from what I have learned of kami, Japanese mysticism,
Chinese mysticism, and popular belief in the Orient, this is probably as close
as I will get to the truth for the present.
Heaven: Also known as Celestial, or Prime, this is one of the examples
of the High elements mentioned in Kitsune. Celestial kitsune are listed as
one of the two most numerous types to exist, and most, from what I gather,
serve Inari. Tenko.
Void : Also known as the Dark kitsune, Void kitsune are the second of
the High kitsune. Where Celestial kitsune are myobu, void kitsune are
nogitsune. Reiko.
The rest of the kitsune fall under wild kitsune, or low kitsune. They
were not singled out, but since these are the other elements found in oriental
legends, and in legends of the kami, it is safe to assume that the kitsune also
fall under these elements.
Wind : Also known as air kitsune, or kuko. Most kuko are considered
bad. Kitsune have been known to appear as wind, or create mists or fog.
Spirit: Kiko or koryo, another of the bad kitsune, also called ghost
foxes or demon foxes.
Fire, Earth, River, Ocean, Mountain, Forest, Thunder, Time, Sound :
While these are the other elements that are listed in the orient as low ele-
ments, I have no names for the kitsune of these regions. As I have mentioned,
the tanuki and tengu are connected to some of these elements, however, and
they can be used to draw parallels.
I have made speculations on how kitsune interact with these elements,
and possibly their manner of drawing on such to grant them their abilities.
Due to wanting to keep speculation to a minimum here, and due to general
opinion on such matters, I will not go into depths on the subject in this
version. Instead, I ask those who are interested in oriental magic to look up
legends on the kami, spirits, and heroes of the orient, or to look up Japanese
magic.
Kitsune Behaviour
Many things about the kitsune is mercurial, from their moods to their
treatment of humans, to even the abilities some possess. Kitsune have a
depth of personality as deep or even deeper than those of other Japanese
characters. The reason for this, according to one source, is that the kitsune
is the Trickster, in Japanese culture. They are there to teach those around
them lessons.

9
 Kitsune are not truly good or evil. Quite literally, as spirits, they embody
the concept of the amoral, those who do not accept, or understand, the idea
of Good or Evil, instead, paving the way of balance between the two.
With the kitsune, instead, the concept of right and wrong becomes the
deciding factor. What they consider right, or wrong, though, depends on
the culture, the region the kitsunes in, what type of kitsune is there... many
different factors.
Kitsune follow their own code of ethics, though they adapt the morals
of those around them, more for the sake of being accepted than for any
other reason. Unless they are myobu, they can be both allies and enemies to
the mortals around them. If someone offends what a kitsune considers cor-
rect, they can become evil, malicious, and disruptive. If someone behaves
according to their ethics, they will become polite, kind, and helpful.
This contradiction is evident in the sheer number of legends of kitsune,
how they were feared and hunted on one hand, and revered and worshipped
on the other. There are legends of kitsune guarding samurai for a favour
done, while there are others of kitsune taking the desired lover of another
samurai. There are legends of kitsune aiding the peasantry, while there is
another of a kitsune stealing food from a lowly traveler.
Here are some common things the kitsune believe in:
Kitsune tend to live in families, and work together as much as possible.
Lone kitsune tend to try and make families. Even myobu prefer to drive
away nogitsune, instead of killing them.
Kitsune are notorious for seeing a weakness in someone, and aggravating
the weakness, until others see it. To those who are immoral, they tend to
help, making the person more immoral, or guiding the person down the
path of self-distruction. To the ones they consider moral, they become
friendly, and helpful, though they may still play a trick, or show a small
flaw in the person, to teach them humility.
Kitsune have to keep their promises, and especially follow their word of
honour. They become self-distructive if they break a promise, and when
someone else breaks a promise, they become deadly enemies.
Kitsune are also a victim of their own feelings. A kitsunes emotions
can cause them harm, or distract them. The Sin of Regret can even kill a
kitsune outright.
Kitsune do not accept aid from those who are not willing. Those who
wish to aid a kitsune, must do so of their own free will. Kitsune are very loath
to ask for help, and as such, most aid must come from anothers initiative.
Kitsune are emotional and very vengeful. Kitsune will lose their temper
at the slightest provocation. Once someone has earned a kitsunes enmity,
the kitsune will begin enacting revenge that can become quite extreme. On
the other hand, those who have earned a kitsunes trust and loyalty will see
a friendship that can last through many trials.

10
 Freedom is very important to the kitsune. They do not accept being
forced into something they do not wish, and do not like being bound or
trapped. Doing so weakens the kitsune, and is frowned upon by other kit-
sune.

6 Possession: Different means to interact.

The tales involved with kitsune interaction among mortals is full of contra-
dictions. As listed earlier, you had manifesting fox-spirits, women seducing
samurai, foxes that scampered around and played tricks, and people pos-
sessed. This section deals with what I think is involved in all of this, and
why kitsune legends have more than one reason for these stories. This comes
from many sources.
Kitsune, being spirits, arent expected to just appear. Doing so is a risk
to a spirit, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Also, considering the kitsune
gains power from the land they are in, they risk harming the land by taking
too much power, just to be there.
As such, kitsune have learned a few ways to cheat, and show up more
often. The following ways are possible tricks the kitsune have learned:
Possession Simple taking over a target for a period of time. Possessing
someone was not a long-term event as far as kitsune were concerned. A
kitsune usually required the permission of the target, to be able to possess
them, but that doesnt seem to always be the case. When the target was
possessed, their will was completely taken over. When the kitsune left the
target, they had no memories of what had transpired.
Possessing an unwilling target would mean taking over the persons will.
This could result by the kitsune draining the targets will, or perhaps driving
them insane. In either event, the kitsune is now inside a mortal body.
From an email, recounting a very recent kitsune possession:

Possessions by foxes include violent seizures in which the afflicted

speak in the voice of the fox, deriding humans and making
demands of priests and practitioners through the body of the
possessed. One ongoing story within the religion tells of a girl
in Tokyo who was possessed by two hundred and fifty foxes at
once... After being possessed by the fox and making demands of
the priest for sake and food, the girls priest ritually banished the
fox, converting it to a kind of universal doctrine and sending it
back to the shrine of Inari... It then possessed the girl again and
attacked the priest, who killed it using okiyome, the practice
of a kind of purifying ray from the hands. For months after, the
girl would attack the priest suddenly, crying Attack! Attack!
Reportedly these attempts were being made by the two hundred
forty-nine in an attempt to avenge their master.

11
 Kitsune who possess a mortal dont seem to retain most of their abilities.
The taking of a mortal body gives the kitsune a semblance of mortality,
themselves. One exception I read is that a kitsune possessing someone had
on them a small object, called a kitsune ball. This ball, when taken from
the kitsune, caused them to whine and plead for it back. From what else
Ive read, the kitsune ball is a portion of their spirit, and could be the only
means for them to regain their freedom, or it could hold the soul of the
person they are possessing. I dont know for certain, either way.
Kitsune do not have to possess only mortals, mind you. A kitsune can
just as easily possess a foxs body, and wander around as a fox.
Taking an Avatar Possessing either a dead body, or an unborn child.
This would be a more permanent means of being able to stay around. There
are stories that mention when a person dies, they can become a kitsune.
This could either be a kitsune possessing the body, or it could be a literal
transformation, where the person steps outside the cycle of birth-death-
rebirth, becoming immortal instead. In any case, a kitsune can take the
dead body of someone, and animate it since it has no soul inside it. Doing
so would require that the body was not properly buried, and had not been
concecrated.
While inside the body, the kitsune has some abilities that it would possess
as a true spirit. This would mean shapeshifting to a lesser extent, and more
often than not, the person would have a foxs tail. Kitsune illusions would
still be available, as would causing bad luck.
Possessing an unborn child is another matter. While doing so, the mother
would most likely become sick, or weak, as the kitsune invades her unborn
child. When the child is born, it would most likely be sick too, until either
it died, or the kitsune was successful in possessing it. The kitsune would
be able to grow and adapt to mortal life, and eventually gain most of its
powers. A kitsune with a mortal body would be able to shapeshift, and live
fairly well as a mortal.
From what I have read, most kitsune, when taking a mortal body, prefer
to take the foxs form, instead of the mortal form. I think the conflict
between the spirit of the kitsune, and the mortal soul, is inherently, to
the oriental culture, bad kharma. With their belief in a natural order,
anything that would disrupt this natural order causes sickness and pain.
The possession of a mortal, especially the unborn or the dead, is an example
of this disruption.
Aiding someone into becoming a kitsune This is a draining process,
but the results include fertility, the breeding of more kitsune, and a mortal,
physical body. The transformation of a mortal into a kitsune is a rare
legend, but has been mentioned in the past, and is still used in stories
written in the present day. Other legends recall a mortal being seduced
(mind controlled), and fathering children by the kitsune. The children have

12
always been kitsune, and are usually in foxform when born, though this
latter is not always the case.
These children are mortal, but possess the usual 900+ year lifespan. This
is probably the easiest way for a kitsune to be able to stay on the physical
world, without disrupting the balance of nature.
Cultural Note: The crossbreeding of foxes and mortals was not re-
ally frowned upon by the oriental culture. To them, animal spirits often
attempted to breed with humans, and often succeeded. The concept of bes-
tiality did not apply to these spirits, since most agreed, and a good number
still do, that kitsune, tanuki, and other such creatures are not animals, nor
are they mortal, but instead, are something very different.
With almost all cases of kitsune appearance, the kitsune wants something
from the mortals around them. Kitsune are hedonistic and demanding for
the most part, and are willing to ask or just take from those around them.
Things could be as simple as a lemon-rice ball, which is a kitsune delicacy,
to a simple kimono, to a samurais favourite geisha, or even to a samurai as
a husband. If the kitsune is powerful enough, or old enough, it could even
be an empire, and everyone inside it.
The reasons the kitsune are so demanding could be that with the sen-
sations the physical world has to offer, the kitsune may be enraptured, and
want to experience more. The more jaded kitsune, on the other hand, be-
come demanding of more extreme things.

7 Feeding: Tapping the land, and vampirism.

To start this on the right note, I want to address something that I have come
across often when I mention kitsune are vampires. The reactions I get when
this is mentioned are varied, and are often either amusing, or aggravating,
depending on the person spoken with.
There are many different sorts of vampires all over the world. Every
society in existence has vampire stories, and each has their own unique
twist on it. There are the blood-drinkers of Europe, to the vampires of the
Native Americans which drain the warmth from the human body, to the
Roman vampires who bite noses off.
Kitsune are none of these. Kitsune, like everything else, have their own
place, and are unique. There are reasons why the kitsune are vampires, and
it has nothing to do with our modern interpretation or the recent increase
in the gothic movement.
The kitsune have been compared with the European Succubus and In-
cubus, and with good reason. Kitsune are notorious seducers. In fact, the
term for the entrancing effect of the kitsune on its target, whether this is
mind control, or sometimes possession, is seduction.

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 Kitsune, as spirits, have a link to the land. This is a tie to the element
the kitsune is attuned to. As such, the longer a kitsune spends in the
area, the more that element is noticed. When the kitsune becomes real,
manifesting, it causes an effect on the environment. The gifts placed at
shrines, or out in the open for kami are a way of giving the spirit power,
and as such, the negative effects of the spirit being there are lessened.
Kitsune have been known to feed off of many things, including words,
knowledge, writing, music, the land, and the people around them. Legends
have people who take a kitsune lover, and waste away, needing a priest to
separate the link between the kitsune and her intended. This link allows
the kitsune to drain the person, even when not in the same area as their
lover, and the severing of the link doesnt necessarily mean the death of the
kitsune.
One of the most common forms of feeding from a target is through sex.
Since kitsune are creatures who enjoy sensations in the first place, so this
makes sense. The effect of lovemaking for a kitsunes partner is, according
to many sources, more pleasurable than most mortals can handle.
Kitsune seem to prefer willing partners. Those more willing to be with
a kitsune do not seem to be affected as much by the effects of lovemaking,
and if the kitsune and her mate are happy together, the mortal stands a
very good chance of staying alive, if not entirely sane.
A case where a kitsune has taken from someone not willing has been
listed in Kitsune, though this was done because a certain lord had been
trying to have an affair with his maid, but couldnt because of a jealous
wife. The kitsune, instead, transformed into the lord, met the maid, and
had sex with her in the samurais stead.
It is also mentioned that when a nogitsune does feed, they will tell their
partner what is needed to alleviate the pleasure/pain, as a recompense for
the service the victim provides. The reason behind this is that the sensations
mating with a kitsune causes does not go away after the kitsune has finished.
This tale, and the treatment, is listed in Kitsune, page 167-8 (the treatment
was listed as decocted buckwheat, but Ive since learned, from a book called
Kwaidan, that this mixture is called soba, and was usually peddled at the
side of many roads as a remedy.)
Kitsune who have mortal bodies most likely do not have the same effect
on their partners as kitsune who are manifested or summoned. It could
be, mating with a spirit has a detrimental effect on the mortal, and other
legends of spirits would attest to this.

8 Magic: Kitsune abilities, foxmagic, and foxtails.

Kitsune were known for many abilities. The list of things kitsune were
capable of seemed to change from story to story, but for the most part, many

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things were common enough to warrant being listed as kitsune powers.
These powers are called fox magic.
Illusion
To a kitsune, their illusions are reality. What they make, for them, and
for others, is as real as anything found or crafted in nature. Anything that a
kitsune builds or transforms, becomes what the kitsune desired. A kitsune
can make people, animals, and objects, which cant be distinguished from
the real thing.
The more kitsune team up to make things, the more can be made. A
handful of kitsune can build a city if they desired.
Realms
Kitsune, as spirits, have abilities that are hard to explain. One is the
kitsunes domain. Kitsune are able to make small pockets in reality, folding
space and time to suit their needs. They can turn a hole under a floorboard
into a small estate, and turn a small field into a kingdom, complete with
people, animals, and weather. Time seems to flow faster inside these realms.
For every day in the real world, up to seven years can pass in the realm, for
those who are in it.
Kitsune Seduction
A form of mind control, the kitsune ability of seduction is one of the
most commonly-mentioned skills in legends. By using their tail or tails in a
swaying manner, or by meeting the gaze of a target, the kitsune is capable of
taking over their mind. While under the control of the kitsune, the victim
sees, thinks, and lives in a world designed by the kitsune, all inside the
targets mind. The target is controlled until someone breaks the magic the
kitsunes using. This mind control is purely by magic, mind you, and can
be broken by certain magics, or wards.
Foxfire (Kitsune-bi)
By rubbing their tails together, a kitsune can make lightning or fire. The
kitsune can also, to a small range, breathe out fire. Kitsune can also make
small fox lanterns, by producing small balls of fire to float around them,
and guide their way. This fire can be used as a weapon, or as a toy.
Possession
We went into detail about kitsune possession earlier, but to mention
again... kitsune, being spirits, can possess things...
Shapeshifting
A kitsune can transform into anything found in nature. This means they
can turn into trees, forests, rocks, water, or other people. The limits are that
the transformation does not give them the innate abilities of the form they
have taken, and they are vulnerable to what can harm that form. Kitsune
who are possessing someone can not use this form of transformation, unless
they are doing it through illusions.
The Kitsunes Ball

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 Kitsune have things called kitsune balls. What this is, is a small white
ball. It doesnt glow, and doesnt appear to have any powers. The kitsune
guard this ball closely, and if you can get your hands on one, you can have
the kitsune promise to aid you.
Most kitsune use the ball just like it appears... a normal childrens ball.
One theory, though, is that the kitsune places a portion of their power into
this item, while possessing mortals, or while in human form.
Kitsune tails
Kitsune are usually depicted as having more than one tail. The most
commonly depicted are one-tails, five-tails, and nine-tails. For most kitsune,
the number of tails shown is usually one. This could be for a number of
reasons, though, including the idea that a kitsune could be in a human or
fox, possessing it, or may have been born in a mortal body. In either case,
why would the kitsune suddenly sprout more tails?
Some of the legends say a kitsune gains a tail every hundred years. An-
other myth says that a kitsune gains all nine tails when they reach nine
hundred years old. When a kitsune becomes a nine-tail, their fur becomes
either silver, white, or gold. This isnt a strong and fast rule, but its what
is seen most often.
To the kitsune, the number of tails they have are a show of prestige, skill,
age, and rank. A kitsune may gain a tail for bringing honour to their family
and clan, or could lose one for breaking kitsune law. A kitsune may also lose
a tail, by dying, but this isnt always the case, considering Tamamo-no-mae
was killed more than once, and was still a nine-tail.
Kitsune dont ask for extra tails. Instead, they are simply rewarded for
their actions, or punished. Some kitsune train under others, hoping to gain
wisdom and favour with their teachers. Some kitsune even take quests or
go on journeys, to gain wisdom or power, hoping to find ways to gain in
prestige and rank among the other kitsune, or with The Lady or Inari.
The Lady
The Lady. Either a ten-tailed kitsune, or a thousand-tailed kitsune.
Either can be correct, but I am not certain. As it stands, she is unique.
There are no other kitsune with more than nine tails. She is the mother of
the kitsune race, and all serve her in one manner or another.
I can understand her having a thousand tails, since having so many can
make sense, from the Indian origins of this race. As it stands, she is unique,
and she is the archetype of all kitsune.
From FoxKnight, when we discussed The Lady:

This rings of the Indian Ten-thousand-armed-god philosophy.

This would also make sense if the Kitsune myth was originated
in India, as you have said before.
New question: tail philosophy. The multi-armed god image is
fairly easy to understand, as a metaphor of the multi-faceted

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 ways which the supreme being could interact with the earth (i.e.
an arm for each member of the spirit hierarchy under the deitys
control, or possibly an arm for each element or power it pos-
sesses) but what is the symbol behind the tail? This is certainly
the driving force behind the mythological power of the Kitsune.
Why the multi-tails?

FoxKnight raised a very good question when he asked me this, and I

have yet to come up with a good answer. One theory someone presented to
me, is that each tail is a step of enlightenment. They used this theory to
argue that since there is only nine steps, there is no Lady, since she has ten
(or more) tails. Hmm... could being truly enlightened surpass each step? If
so, The Lady could have surpassed the nine-steps. Its worth debating, but
not here.
Kitsune Weaknesses
Religion
Those of certain faiths who actually possess faith (read: Clerics, Priests,
Monks, Healers) do not see kitsune illusion. In fact, if they touch an illusion
made by a kitsune, the illusion will dissolve. The distruction of a kitsunes
illusions by faith is a traumatic event to a kitsune, as their concept of reality
gets destroyed.
Continuing on this vein, members who have faith can also remove the
connection a kitsune has with someone who has been fed from, prevent-
ing the kitsune from being able to drain them again. They can also ward
themselved from a kitsunes innate abilities, or protect someone from said
abilities.

9 Names and Famous Kitsune

Kitsune come up with the most fascinating names. Each name is a mark on
the country, stating the kitsune heritage, and what they have done. Many
kitsune in legend have their names.
A kitsune with ri in their name is most likely myobu, or tenko. Many
words that are considered holy have ri at the end of the name.

Ikari: Anger of god

Okori: Origin (also means power of Mother Nature)
Hikari: Holy Light
Akari: Light of god, Power of god
Inori: Prayer
Mamori: Protection
Minori: Crops

Famous Kitsune

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 Kuzu-no-ha (Arrowroot-leaf) was a kitsune in a 5-part play of the same
name. She fled her family when her son learned of her true nature. Her son,
once he had tracker her down, was rewarded with the ability to speak with
all creatures.
Cultural Note The kitsune were so respected that in the No plays, where
all actors wear masks, forcing them to use their bodies to tell the play,
nobody wears masks when the play involves kitsune.
Tamamo-no-mae, also went by the name Hua-yang. She was a nine-
tailed kitsune, and was responsible for the destruction of the king Pan-Tsu,
in India, and has over a thousand innocent people killed by him. Later,
Hua-yang fled to China, calling herself Pau-ssu. She joins the harem of Yu,
king of the Chou dynasty. She eventually becomes his queen, and just to see
her smile, Yu goes through unspeakable acts of cruelty. Under her guidance,
the Chou dynasty falls.
Pau-ssu eventually fades/dies, only to be reborn in Japan, calling herself
Tamamo-no-Mae. She joins the emperors court, and the deaths continue.
When she is discovered, she takes her true form, a golden kitsune with nine
tails.
As an amazing coincidence, she is discovered by Abe-Yasuchika, a de-
cendant of Abe-Seimei, who was the son of Kuzu-no-ha, the kitsune listed
earlier. Kuzu-no-ha was more than likely myobu, and her child, of course,
would be protecting of the emperor, as would his decendants.
She flees after she is discovered, and transforms into a large rock in the
moor of Nasuno. In this form, she kills anything that approaches. Birds,
people, and plants wither and die around her. It takes a priest with a magic
hammer to kill her.
Genkuro is a kitsune, whos parents were 1000 years old, and were hunted
to form a magical drum called a tsuzumi. The drum was used to seduce the
Fortune of rain into producing storms at the sound of it. It is through a
play about Genkuro that it is learned that kitsune are feminine in nature.
Koan (buddhist priest) was a kitsune, who would wander around, telling
others he was a Buddhist Priest. He would be invited into homes, were he
would tell sermons, and be treated as a proper guest. When he wrote his
name for others, he would write his name, age, signature, and seal, along
with the character of LONGEVITY.
Jingoro (enshrined) was recored as possessing someone when he thought
the man was going to try to kill him. The man, to escape possession and
not come to harm, had a shrine built to Jingoro, calling it Jingoro-Inari.
Gengoro (express messenger) was a kitsune known for having the strength,
speed, and vitality of three people, and was known to do farmwork, and send
messenges for the people he protected. He was later killed by a wild dog.
Genkuro (hair-cutter) was a kitsune who made a habit of tracking down
women in Tokyo (then called Edo), and cutting off their hair and breaking
pans.

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 Hakuzo (learned) took the form of a Buddhist scholar, and would talk
and answer religious dialogues in the temples. He was seen as very wise,
and very scholarly. When he was discovered to be kitsune, he vanished,
but would later be seen hanging around outside the temple, preaching the
doctrine of Buddha in the dark. Later, the temple was renamed Hakuzo
Inari.
Kojoro (little maid) was the mate of Gengoro, and appeared to be a
young maid of around 12 to 14. She would do duties for the temple she
lived in, and seemed to be quite popular among the children of the region.
She vanished after four years.
As is seen, kitsune do not use their real names when among mortals.
The true name of a kitsune can be used to bind the kitsune, banish it, or
work spirit magic on it. For the most part, the kitsune will take a name
appropiate to the task at hand, or as a joke.
Kitsune are spirits, and can be controlled or manipulated as such, though
the stronger the kitsune, the more dangerous it is to try this without their
name.

The End of the Tail

This essay youre reading is the end result of two and a half years of
study. I hope you find it informative, and a lot better organized than the
last two editions. Thank you for your patience, and please, if you would like
to offer information, insight, or ask questions, contact me at:
foxtrot@comnet.ca
or
Kit LaHaise
26 A Sonnet Crescent
Nepean, Ontario, Canada
K2H 8W7
Thank you, and enjoy.

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