kitsune

Kitsune are fox spirits in Japanese folklore and Shinto belief. They are regarded as intelligent beings with magical abilities and long lifespans. In legends, aging foxes develop extra tails, up to nine, with each tail signifying greater power and wisdom. Kitsune are renowned shapeshifters, able to assume human form, often appearing as young men or women. Even in human guise, they may reveal their nature through whispers, tricks, or uncanny behavior. They are also associated with supernatural phenomena such as foxfire (kitsunebi) and possession, in which a fox is said to inhabit a human body.

Kitsune are closely linked with Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, and prosperity. They are commonly depicted as Inari’s messengers, and many Inari shrines display fox statues. In folk belief, kitsune can be benevolent (zenko) or mischievous or dangerous (yako). Benevolent foxes protect people, bring wealth, or provide guidance, while others trick travelers or deceive communities. The moral tone of stories varies, often reflecting social concerns about honesty, loyalty, and the boundaries between human and animal realms.

A recurring motif is the fox's possession of a magical object, such as a jewel known as the hoshi no tama that is said to store its power, or other artifacts. In modern culture, kitsune appear widely in literature, theater, and media as shapeshifters and cunning yet sometimes loyal guardians.