The Fairy Fox,’Kitsune’
by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
I thought I would take a slight detour from Celtic studies and look at the ‘Kitsune’, the fairy fox of Japan.
The earliest reference to the term ‘kitsune’ in Japan dates back to 794, however there are much older references to magical foxes of all types in ancient Chinese and before then, Buddhist texts and stories. For instance, ‘Fox Becoming Fairy’ is a well known tale from Chinese mythology. Another is ‘The Legend of Fox Fairy Lady’ from ancient Taoism. The essence of these stories is about the journey of a fox becoming a fairy, spirit or immortal or gaining supernatural powers. In China kitsune are referred to as ‘Huli Jing’ in China, and ‘Kumiho’ in Korea.
Regardless of origin, fairy foxes in all these cultures share similar traits. One of their primary things is the ability to shapeshift into many forms, usually young, beautiful women, but also young girls, old men or less commonly boys, even trees – but usually beautiful, young women. They can act maliciously or benevolently, acting as protectors, or serving as messengers or even dieties. They possess other magic also, such as being able to bewitch or beguile, heal various ailments, take spiritual possession of a human, conduct trickery, bestow blessings and are able to fire off ‘fox fire’ flame from their tail. This they can do by either pointing and stroking it or by striking their tail against the ground.
Like most all fairies, kitsune have a mix of good and bad aspects. Japanese even defines them as such, with good, foxes called ‘Inari foxes’, and the bad being called ‘Ninko or Yako foxes’. Additionally good foxes break down into five subtypes: gold, silver, white, black, and celestial, each with its own strengths. Celestial foxes are basically immortal, having lived a thousand years or more by which they earned it. Also, the older a fox is, the more tails it grows, with the oldest foxes having nine tails. One, five, seven, and nine tails are the most common number of tails in folktales, and where a greater number of tails indicates an older and more powerful Kitsune.
Hokusai (1760 – 1849 Japanese)
Trickery is the other of their primary pursuits, which they do for both good and bad reasons. Mainly they use it to beguile young men into relationship, either seduction or marriage, even offspring. Generally these things do not go well in the end, as with most fairy / human relations. At some point the man realizes his wife is a fairy fox, sees her tail when she drinks too much and is careless, or some such similar situation. He then feels shame and withdraws, but sometimes they try to work things out. Also sometimes the fairy fox can act like a succubi or vampire, draining the life energy of their lover, but usually things are solely romantic in nature; it depends on the fox.
Other examples of trickery are more devious, having a human bathe in manure, trick them into eating horse dung thinking they are dumplings, or giving them fake money making them feel rich, then deflated once it turns back into leaves and common stones. Another common thing they do is cause travelers to become disoriented and lose their way, especially at night. However, kitsune can bestow true gifts, but they are usually intangibles like protection, knowledge, or long life.
Contemporary Wallpaper
Other aspects of kitsune is their tendency to seek retribution either for themselves, or on behalf of someone, due to some slight, threat or injustice. They can also become a spirit guide, or protector of sorts. This may involve granting blessings, assisting in romantic matters, healing ailments, or warning of dangers. Most are capable of spirit possession, where the fox spirit takes over someone, either acting as a benevolent guardian spirit or other times requiring the assistance of a shaman to set things right. The term is Kitsunetsuki literally meaning ‘the state of being possessed by a fox’. Stories of fox possession (kitsunetsuki) are widespread throughout Japan.
Regardless, kitsune are often seen as sacred, and foxes as intelligent creatures, even if a bit cunning and occasionally troublesome, with temples in Japan devoted solely to the deity Inari (good foxes), who are considered sacred messengers, and further associated with agriculture, prosperity, and success.
Finally, legend has it that kitsune have a luminous jewel or pearl lodged in its tail (Japan), or embedded in its heart (China). It is said that the ‘fox jewel’ is where its magic lies, where it draws the energy to change shape, or use its magical powers. Other traditions have it that the jewel or pearl represents the kitsune’s soul.
Contemporary Culture
There are a numerous popular videos out around the theme of the fox fairy. Below are a couple examples for distraction. One is a rompy thirty-six episode series, the other a complete romantic movie.
A little fox demon has come to the mortal world to repay a debt. She takes the place of the bride in marrying the cold general Gu Yu Fan. Their relationship which starts from marriage turns into love.
The fantasy romance movie “Nine-Tailed Fox” tells a story of the fox demon (fairy fox), Xiu, who came into the human world for the first time. She was tricked by the scholar, Jiang Wanyun into believing they had something real between them. Warlock Yan Liuer discovered Xiu’s true identity…