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Kitsune facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Kitsune statues
Kitsune statues

Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. There are a lot of foxes in Japanese folklore. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as having magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. The most important of their magic tricks is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — others portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.

Foxes and human beings lived close together in ancient Japan; this is why there are legends about them. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as his messengers. Kitsune keep their promises and strive to repay any favor.

A kitsune is the messenger of Death. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural importance. The more tails a kitsune has — they may have as many as nine — the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a god.

Images for kids

  • Prince Hanzoku terrorised by a nine- tailed fox

    A nine-tailed fox spirit (kyūbi no kitsune) scaring Prince Hanzoku; print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Edo period, 19th century

  • NineTailsFox

    A nine-tailed fox, from the Qing edition of the ancient text Classic of Mountains and Seas

  • Vulpes vulpes laying in snow

    Japan is home to two non-fictional red fox subspecies: the Hokkaido fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki, pictured), and the Japanese red fox (V. v. japonica).

  • Yoshitoshi - 100 Aspects of the Moon - 91

    The moon on Musashi Plain (fox) by Yoshitoshi

  • Obake Karuta 3-01

    This obake karuta ('monster card') from the early 19th century depicts a kitsune. The associated game involves matching clues from folklore to pictures of specific creatures.

  • Blacksmith Munechika, helped by a fox spirit, forging the blade Ko-Gitsune Maru, by Ogata Gekkō

    Inari Ōkami and its fox spirits help the blacksmith Munechika forge the blade Kogitsune-maru ('Little Fox') at the end of the 10th century. The legend is the subject of the noh drama Sanjō Kokaji.

  • Gyokuzan Kitsunetsuki

    A depiction of a kitsunetsuki in the Gyokuzan Gafu by Okada Gyokuzan

  • Hiroshige, New Year's Eve foxfires at the changing tree, Oji, 1857

    "Kitsunebi on New Year's Night under the Enoki Tree near Ōji" in the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo by Hiroshige. Each fox has a kitsunebi floating close to its face.

  • A man confronted with an apparition of the Fox goddess

    Inari Ōkami appears to a warrior accompanied by a kitsune. This portrayal shows the influence of Dakiniten concepts from Buddhism. Print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

  • Fushimi Inari mini torii

    The Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto features numerous kitsune statues.

  • Tamamo-no-mae-woodblock

    Tamamo-no-Mae, a legendary kitsune featured in noh and kyogen plays. Print by Yoshitoshi.

  • Kuniyoshi Kuzunoha

    The kitsune Kuzunoha casts a fox's shadow even in human form. Kuzunoha is a popular figure in folklore and the subject of kabuki plays. Print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

  • Inro with Fox's Wedding (reverse side)

    Inro depicting the kitsune no yomeiri. The reverse side depicting the bride in a litter.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kitsune para niños

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