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Kitsune

Kitsune

Joeseph Jacobs, commons.wikimedia.org, CC SA BY 4.0

What Is A Kitsune?

Kitsune are immortal, mischevious, 9 tailed foxes. They can stand on all fours, or on just two legs. And they can turn into different animals, including humans! The myth of Kitsunes started in China, but did not have the name Kitsune, and some of its features. Kitsune means "Fox" in japanese.

Folklore

The folklore around these 9 tailed foxes tell of their misfortune. As they are very keen and very mischevious.

Kitsunes are said to disguise themselves mostly as humans, but to get that power they must wait until they have grown their second tail. As, you see, they get one more tail every 100 years! The tails give them powers, and make them change color. Turning a normal fox gold, then finally white. Each tail gives them a large bit of wisdom too!

Kitsunes are said to pull pranks on people by posing as army commanders and embarrissing themselves, or as your friend and making you do idiotic things. But, watch out, as they could also use their disguises for killing people!

Kitsunes are said to be messengers of Death, so I'd personally be carful with them. But, that makes them more feared, and yet, more praised! Kitsune statues are found all over Japan, and there are even some temples. At those small temples and statues, people will give offerings like apples, money, and sometimes even sake (japanese alcohol made from rice and water, sometimes spit.)

Fun Facts

  1. Kitsune is pronounced "Kit-Soon-A"
  2. People make Foxfire lanterns for weddings, they are lanterns that burn for a long time using a special fungi, they are said to 'pay homage' to kitsunes
  3. There are 13 differnet types of Kitsunes, they are the same thing, but with a different element, their element goes to their soul.
  4. A Kitsune's soul is a tiny glowing orb they always have to carry with them while transformed, if they loose it, they die.
  5. Even though there are different elements in Kitsunes, the one they all have is freedom.