In this article, we will see details about foxes in Japan, their popularity, legends, folklore. Did you know that in Japan, there is even a village where you can see foxes in the snow? Yes, foxes are of great interest in Japan!
In Japan, foxes are called "Kitsune" [狐] and are known for their wit and intelligence. Traditional Japanese stories show them as intelligent beings with paranormal abilities.
Table of Contents
The Kitsune Tales
According to Yōkai folklore, all foxes can transform into human form. Who did not watch Natsume Yuujinchou, with our Nyanko-sensei. If you haven't watched it I believe it will be a good experience.
In some folk tales, they speak of foxes employing this ability to deceive others. In other stories, they are portrayed as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.
Foxes and humans lived together in ancient Japan, thus this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune became closely associated with Inari, a shinto kami, or spirit, and served as their messengers.
This role reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a Kitsune has the older, the wiser and more powerful it is. ing that they can have up to nine, this form that is the most seen in popular culture.
Because of their potential power and influence, some people make sacrifices to them for a deity. In contrast, foxes were often seen as "witch animals". Especially during the superstitious Edo period, and they were considered goblins that could not be trusted.
Kitsune Masks
Kitsune masks have a distinctive appearance, usually made from papier-mâché or wood and hand-painted with gold or red accents. The mask represents the face of a fox and is often used as part of a costume or costume in theatrical performances, or folk dances.
There are many different types of Kitsune masks, each with its own appearance and meaning. For example, the Noh Kitsune mask is used in Noh theater performances, and it usually has a more realistic and detailed appearance. The Okame Kitsune mask, on the other hand, is used in folk dance performances and has a more cartoonish appearance.
Kitsune masks are an important part of Japanese culture and are often seen in traditional festivals and ceremonies. In addition to their striking appearance and cultural symbolism, Kitsune masks are an example of Japanese craftsmanship and the country's rich craft tradition.
You can find some videos that teach step by step how to make a fox mask or buy it on Japanese websites, or anime and cosplay products.
We recommend reading: 10 Famous Japanese Masks and their Meanings
Kitsune types
And finally, a bit of interesting information. They are not all the same, this may seem obvious. But anyway, let's identify some types that exist in the culture.
- Bakemono-Kitsune: An evil, ghostly fox, similar to other entities such as Reiko, Kiko and Koryo.
- Genko: A kitsune with a black coat, generally considered a sign of good omen.
- Kiko: A fox spirit.
- Kitsune: General term for "fox", which can be portrayed as good or bad.
- Kitsune-Bi: Kitsunes who have the power to summon fire with their mouths, tails and through transmutation.
- Koryo: A cursed fox.
- Kuko: Foxes associated with the element of air. Kukos are extremely evil, comparable to the Tengu, a goblin from Japanese mythology.
- Kyuubi: Kitsunes who have reached 900 years of age and developed 9 tails. They gain the ability to see and hear everything anywhere in the world, as well as obtaining infinite wisdom.
- Reiko: The ghost of a fox, who isn't necessarily evil, but is definitely cunning.
- Shakko: A kitsune with a red coat, who can be both good and bad.
- Shouzaa: The Seiryu spirit, who oversees the foxes.
- Tenko: Elite celestial kitsunes that reach 1,000 years of age. Normally, at this age, they already have 9 tails and their fur changes to silver or gold.
- Yako/Yakan: Literally, "evil foxes".
- Nogitsune: Wild Kitsunes, usually used to differentiate between the Good and the Bad.
As we can see, there are several types, both good and bad. It is common in anime to see references to these animals. In anime like Natsume yuuchinchou, Pokemon, No Game No Life among others.
The Nine-Tailed Fox
A long time ago, in the beginning of things, when there was only the Heavenly Realm, the Creator Goddess Izanami [伊邪那美命] gave birth to twins, the Fire God Kagutsuchi [軻遇突智] and the Sun Goddess Amaterasu [天照].
The Creator Goddess Izanami was severely burned by the birth of the Fire Gods, which caused her ultimate death. The twins born were rebellious, cruel and vain, being driven by their fire energy to desire power at any cost.
Rejecting the Celestial Realm of their Parents, Izanagi and Izanami , the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and the Fire God Kagutsuchi created the Fire Demon Realm Oni No Seka , so that they could rule shamelessly and separate from the celestial government.
The Sun Goddess Amaterasu [天照] longed for beauty and power, and she was never happy with her appearance. Then she changed shape at will. She took the form of the elegant and cunning fox with her sunbeams forming her nine fluttering tails.
Thus became the mother of all fallen shapeshifters. She took on the name Kyukon [キュウコン], which is a combination of kyū [九] meaning nine and kon [恨] meaning curse, representing the nine tails or curses she would inflict on mankind.
Anime with Kitsune (Foxes)
Most anime that mix Japanese mythology, usually deal with something related to foxes, especially the goddess Amaterasu as in the classic Naruto. What few are unaware of are anime focused on Japanese foxes.
You can see some of these anime in our articles on Animal Animes. Of course, our main goal is to showcase some of these anime below:
Gugure Kokkuri-San
The story revolves around a girl named Kohina who is summoned by a Kokkuri-san, a low-level ghost in Japanese folklore. The Kokkuri-san she calls turns out to be a handsome young man with white hair.
At first, he intended to simply haunt her, but soon he worries about his terrible habit of eating a cup of ramen for every meal. He later decides to haunt her to protect her. The anime features several mythological creatures from Japanese folklore, including foxes.
Kamisama Hajimemashita
Kamisama Hajimemashita is a shoujo romance comedy anime that has a kitsune protagonist. The Anime tells the story of Nanami, a girl evicted from her home due to her gambling addicted father, who abandoned her and ran away with a lot of debts.
While wandering the streets, Nanami meets a man who, upon learning of her story, offers her his house to live in, which is actually an abandoned temple in which she becomes the deity of this place.
Inu x Boku
Shirakiin Ririchiyo, tormented by the flattery and mistreatment that her family name has inflicted on her throughout her life, decides to move away and be alone, until she learns to be confident enough to interact with people without being rude or hurting them..
Her parents only agree to this if she goes to live at Maison de Ayakashi, commonly known as Casa Ayakashi, a luxurious condominium where only those who are selected can reside. But the truth is that this house hides another secret.
Other Fox Anime
There are other anime, movies and OVAs with foxes that go unnoticed by the public. We'll list them all below, starting from the best to the worst. I haven't watched any anime on the list to judge, their grades aren't high either.
| A Raposa Garoa Senko-san | TV | 2019 |
| Black Fox | Movie | 2019 |
| Cheonnyeon-yeowoo Yeowoobi | Movie | 2007 |
| Gingitsune: Messenger Fox of the Gods | TV | 2013 |
| Our Home's Fox Deity | TV | 2008 |
| Genbanojou | Movie | 2017 |
| Chironup the Kitsune | Movie | 1987 |
| Kanokon | TV | 2008 |
| Voz do Fox | TV | 2018 |
| Gongitsune | Movie | 1985 |
| Namake Gitsune | Movie | 1941 |
| Kitsune no Home Run Or | Movie | 1949 |
| Fox and Circus | Movie | 1948 |
| Mang Nu Yu Huli | Movie | 1982 |
| Fox Wood Monogatari | OVA | 1991 |
| Kitsune to Budou | OVA | 1998 |
| Kogitsune no Okurimono | OVA | 1993 |
| Nine-Tailed Fox and Tobimaru (Sesshouseki) | Movie | 1968 |
Zao Kitsune Mura - Fox Village in Japan
In Japan, we have already seen things like the city of deer. There is also the village of foxes. That's right, a village full of foxes walking on the snow in the mountains.
The village of foxes is located near Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture, it is called Zao Fox Village or Zao Kitsune Mura. In the village, the foxes roam freely and visitors can interact with them, feed them, and take many photos.
Foxes are popular creatures in Japanese folklore, there is even a Sanctuary dedicated to foxes, as foxes are said to be messengers of the deity Inari. Many visit this village just to see the beautiful foxes that roam in the snow.
In addition to the foxes kawaii, there are other animals in the village such as rabbits. Like any tourist spot, here you can find restaurants and souvenir shops with many products related to foxes. If you go for a walk in Miyagi, be sure to visit Zao Kitsune Mura.
There are six different types of foxes, who run and interact with visitors. When you pay the entrance, you receive a little food to give to the animals, however, you should not feed them with your hands because although they look adorable and harmless, foxes are wild.
When visiting the fox village you will pay approximately 1000 yen to access. Be careful with the animals, they can bite you if you crouch too close. As foxes are territorial animals, be careful with belongings and backpacks, they might try to piss on them.
- You can see more details about the village on its official website: Zao Kitsune Mura
- Address: 〒 989-0733 Miyagi, Shiroishi, Fukuokayatsumiya, Kawarago−11−3
- Phone: +81 224-24-8812
To finish the article, we are going to leave 2 beautiful videos so you can get to know this village full of foxes.
