Japanese Mythology

The Shinto and Folk Gods of Japan...

KITSUNE

Japanese Trickster Spirits

Also known as Kitsune-Tsuki, Koki-Teno

Picture of the Japanese Trickster Spirits Kitsune from our Japanese mythology image library. Illustration by Chas Saunders.

Fearsome foxy trickster spirits.

Japan is full of fox spirits. They are cunning, sneaky, enigmatic and unpredictable. The Kitsune vary in appearance and character, but most of them have nine bushy tails and a tricky disposition.

To be honest, the nine tails thing is a bit of a giveaway. However the Kitsune are notorious shapeshifters and can transform into human form in the blink of an eye.

Some, for example the Koki-Teno, are ghostly temptress types who appear in the form of beautiful white ladies to lure unsuspecting males into their clutches. Others are quite happy to live in human form. They get married, raise children and lead normal humdrum human lives, just transforming into their fox form on special occasions.

They are not likely to support foxhunting. Or indeed any other kind of hunting, apart from their own.

Kitsune Facts and Figures

Name: Kitsune
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Kitsune-Tsuki, Koki-Teno

Gender: Male and female
Type: Spirits
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Mayhem
Area of expertise: Trickster, Mischief, Mayhem

Good/Evil Rating: NEUTRAL, may not care
Popularity index: 7206

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Article last revised on September 23, 2018 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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