Beware the Kitsune, The Shapeshifting Fox of Japanese Folklore. Kitsune (狐狸精), the Japanese fox-spirit, is also known as the Kumiho (구미호) in Korea and the Huli Jing (狐狸精) in China. They are basically the same creature but with a few differences based on region.
Kitsune (Japanese: 狐) is Japanese for fox. However, in English usage, kitsune usually refers to the magical fox-spirit, which a fox can become and can also assume a human form. Kitsune is also often used as the name for nine-tailed foxes.
The fox is a member of the Canidae family, which also includes wolves and dogs. They do, however, share several interesting characteristics with cats. Some foxes, for example, have vertical pupils and can climb trees.
kitsune, trickster foxes from traditional Japanese folklore. They are a type of yōkai, a class of supernatural creatures with godlike powers, often equated to the English ghoul or demon. Kitsune are noted for their paranormal abilities, particularly metamorphosis. As they age, these abilities can become more powerful.
Kitsune: The Legendary Charming Fox of Japanese Mythology - See U in History
Is A kitsune a cat?
Kitsune is a yokai, which are spirits in Japan's folklore. A kitsune is a fox spirit that can bring a family good or bad luck and can "haunt" a family for many generations. Kitsune symbolizes good luck as we are so blessed to have her in our family and that she has found a loving home.
They are extremely intelligent and revel in deceiving people. Kitsune's are said to sometimes take the shape of a beautiful, sexy women and even marry human men. Sometimes they take the man to the kitsune realm, sometimes they fall in love with the man and remain in the human world.
Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are well known around the world as cunning tricksters, but Kitsune (Japanese for fox) are a little different. Kitsune are spiritual beings that can shapeshift into either male or female forms and possess superior intelligence.
In Japanese mythology, there are said to be 13 types of kitsune, which correspond to different elements—celestial, wind, spirit, darkness, fire, earth, river, ocean, forest, mountain, thunder, sound, and time.
A fair proportion of furries have chosen kitsune as their personas or fursona; in some roleplaying spheres, kitsune match or outnumber normal foxes. Kitsune are popular for being aged, enlightened, yet energetic and adventurous (and for being foxlike, but more unique and exotic than foxes).
Here are just a few similarities foxes share with cats: Like cats, red foxes are most active at night. Their vertical pupils enable them to see clearly in dark or dim light.
Though they might have cat-like features and personality traits, they are more genetically similar to dogs than cats. Now you can always remember that all foxes are part of the Canidae family—dogs at heart, if you will.
Evolutionary biologists suggest that the red fox developed certain traits for the same reasons as cats: nocturnal activity and choice of prey. Vertical-slit pupils are believed to provide daytime protection for the eyes of some nocturnal animals, and long whiskers may aid in stalking and killing small prey.
Kitsune can have as many as nine tails. When a kitsune gains its ninth tail, its fur becomes white or gold. With such powerful abilities, you may wonder how to kill a kitsune. Legends say that to kill a Japanese kitsune, you have to cut off all its tails.
Kitsune are not unique in that their moral alignments can vary. They can be good, neutral or evil in nature. They can likewise be chaotic or orderly. And the more powerful they become, the wiser and more mature they become.
Despite having male and female names, kitsune are born genderless. From the moment they can walk, they typically can also switch between either gender. In most occasions they have a preferred gender which they are likely to spend most of their life as, but are known to switch depending on their mood.
Therefore, in ancient Japan, women with ambitious and strong behavior were called "kitsune". In the spiritual form, kitsune is able to possess people or enter their dreams through nails. The most common legends speak of kitsune with one, five, seven or nine tails.
For example, a ninko is an invisible fox spirit that human beings can only perceive when it possess them. Physically, kitsune are noted for having as many as nine tails.
Kitsune are the only yokai in Japanese folklore who fall in love and get married, which typically results in a Fox's Wedding, or Kitsune no Yomeiri,. The jubilant event itself is quite a common motif in Japanese folklore, with numerous paintings depicting kitsune parading towards marital bliss.
Kitsune are usually gentle and loving creatures, and very commonly seek relationships from humans and other species. They also have a very sexual and seductive nature to themselves, being typically very open to their Sexuality.
Kitsunes are known for seducing males and stealing their energy via intercourse. The same technique that succubus are known to do in order to feed themselves.
Kitsune are not assigned a universal alignment, to my understanding. They, like humans, can be good or bad; it differs from individual to individual. Zenko, generally associated with the god(dess(es)) Inari, are considered to be the good ones, while yako can be more troublesome and even malignant.
Most Kitsune are female; males are fairly rare. They are typically clever creatures that enjoy matching wits with other beings, giving them a reputation for trickery and deceit among other races, and sport a great curiosity about all aspects of life, especially when it comes to people.
May keep some trait that reveals their true form when shapeshifting; tail, shadow/reflection, and facial features (kitsune in human form are often cited to have sharp, "foxlike" features) being the most common. Carelessness and/or drunkenness may reveal true form. Kitsune have an innate fear or a hatred of dogs.
