The Nine-Tailed Manipulator

Japanese kitsune are ambiguous, partly dark and demonic, partly sacred and divine. The legends and stories associated with them are often dark and bloody, evoking unease and fear. Kitsune are masters of psychology, manipulators, illusionists, and inevitably bring misfortune and death to unsuspecting people. It is doubly confusing, then, that at other times they play the role of holy protectors of people. No wonder it is easy to fall for their deceptions.

Kitsune, the mystical foxes from Japanese folklore, have fascinated people for centuries with their mysterious charm and extraordinary powers. In Japanese legends, these supernatural creatures can live for hundreds of years, gaining more power and wisdom with each additional tail. Imagine a fox that, upon reaching nine tails, becomes almost a divine being, capable of transforming into a beautiful woman or an old man, casting illusions, and influencing human destinies.

You may recall from "Naruto" the powerful nine-tailed fox known as Kurama. In the game "Ōkami," players take on the role of the goddess Amaterasu, who takes the form of a white wolf, collaborating with mystical kitsune to restore balance to the world. "Persona 4" presents kitsune as a spiritual guardian of a shrine, offering help to heroes in exchange for completing tasks. In the anime "InuYasha," we also encounter a small fox named Shippo, who accompanies the heroes on their adventures. These characters, though fictional, draw deeply from the rich tradition of kitsune, reminding us of their enduring presence and significance in Japanese mythology and pop culture. We will discuss many such examples. We will also tell a dark and bloody legend about a kitsune at the emperor's court, straight from the medieval Otogizōshi. Attentive readers may also guess from the logo of ikigai-manga-dive.pl that kitsune, both as a fox and as a youkai, is particularly close to the author of the page.

Let's see!

What Does the Name "Kitsune" Mean?

The kanji for "kitsune" (狐) consists of two elements: "犭" (the radical for animals) and "瓜" (a fragment meaning melon, for phonetic reasons). Together they form the symbol representing a fox. Other terms related to "kitsune" are:

• Zenko (善狐): Zenko means "good fox" and refers to benevolent kitsune that serve the deity Inari. They are often depicted as white foxes and are considered guardians of temples and protectors against evil.

• Nogitsune (野狐): Nogitsune means "wild fox" and refers to malicious kitsune known for their pranks and ability to mislead people. They are often depicted as black foxes and are associated with chaos and disorder.

• Kyūbi no Kitsune (九尾の狐): Kyūbi no Kitsune means "nine-tailed fox" and refers to the most powerful kitsune that attain divine status after acquiring nine tails. They are capable of great magical feats and symbolize immense power and wisdom.

What is a Kitsune Like?

Appearance

• Number of tails and their significance (up to nine tails): Kitsune can have up to nine tails, and the number of tails indicates their age, wisdom, and power. Each additional tail signifies greater magical abilities.

• Changes in appearance with age and power (white and gold fur): With age and increasing power, a kitsune's fur can change color to white or gold, symbolizing their divine status and great power.

• Ability to transform into humans: Kitsune have the ability to transform into humans, usually taking the form of beautiful women, old men, or young men, allowing them to interact with and manipulate people.

Character: Dualism: Zenko (good kitsune) vs. Nogitsune (evil kitsune)

Kitsune can be zenko, good kitsune that serve the deity Inari and bring good fortune to people, or nogitsune, evil kitsune that deceive and cause trouble for people. Zenko are often temple guardians, helping people and protecting them from evil. Nogitsune, on the other hand, take pleasure in pranks and manipulation, often using their transformation and illusion abilities to deceive and mislead people. They can also temporarily control a person directly, causing their victim to behave strangely and disgrace themselves before the community. Zenko are associated with positive traits such as loyalty, wisdom, and protectiveness, while nogitsune represent chaos, malice, and unpredictability.

Kitsune and Inari – Religious Aspect

Kitsune are considered messengers of Inari, the deity of fertility, rice, agriculture, and prosperity. Inari is one of the most important deities in Shintoism, and kitsune act as their spiritual assistants, conveying messages and bringing blessings to the faithful.

In Shintoism, kitsune are seen as sacred beings that can bring good fortune and protect against misfortune. They are often believed to have the power to foresee the future and influence human destinies. Kitsune are also symbols of wisdom, cunning, and loyalty.

Inari shrines, called Inari-jinja, are among the most numerous in Japan. At the entrance to these shrines, there are often statues of kitsune that are meant to protect the place from evil spirits. Kitsune are usually depicted with keys to rice granaries, scrolls, or balls in their mouths, symbolizing their role as guardians of wealth and prosperity. The most famous Inari shrine is Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, renowned for its thousands of red torii gates and numerous kitsune statues.

Kitsune's Powers and Abilities

Kitsune are known for their extraordinary abilities. One of their most famous abilities is the power to transform into humans. Kitsune can take the form of beautiful women, old men, or young men, allowing them to move freely in the human world and manipulate it according to their needs. This ability is often used to create illusions that can confuse and deceive people. Kitsune can create the illusion of a completely different reality, making their victims unable to distinguish truth from fiction.

Another extraordinary ability of kitsune is the power to read minds and influence people's dreams. They can enter the minds of their victims, learn their deepest thoughts and dreams, and then manipulate them in a way that benefits the kitsune themselves. These abilities make them not only masters of illusion but also powerful opponents capable of controlling and manipulating human destinies in many ways.

One of the most characteristic elements associated with kitsune is kitsune-bi, or "fox fire." These are mystical flames that kitsune can create using their tails or breath. These flames can be used to light the way, ward off enemies, or as a tool to mislead people. Kitsune-bi are often depicted in legends as mysterious lights appearing at night, leading people into the forest or other unknown places.

Kitsune-tsuki, or possession by kitsune, is another one of their powers. It was believed that kitsune could enter the bodies of people, usually young women, and take control of them. People possessed by kitsune begin to behave strangely, often exhibiting superhuman abilities or sudden personality changes. In traditional beliefs, possession by kitsune was considered a serious threat, often requiring appropriate exorcisms and rituals.

The Legend of Tamamo no Mae from Otogizōshi

In ancient times, during the Heian period, around 1150, during the reign of Emperor Konoe, there lived a servant named Tamamo no Mae at the imperial court in Japan. She was not only the most beautiful woman in the entire country but also extremely intelligent and talented. Her skin had a delicate, golden glow, and her hair shone like silk. Tamamo no Mae's body naturally emitted a pleasant fragrance, and her clothes always remained impeccably clean, regardless of the passage of time.

There was nothing Tamamo no Mae did not know. No matter what question she was asked, she always answered with ease and precision, quoting ancient texts and explaining complex teachings. One day, Emperor Konoe decided to test her knowledge. He asked her about particularly difficult Buddhist teachings, and she answered without hesitation, quoting texts from many centuries ago. The courtiers were astonished by her wisdom.

"Tamamo no Mae, tell me, what truly lies behind the concept of the 'Milky Way'?" the emperor asked during one of the audiences.

"Oh, great emperor, how could someone as humble as I know the answer to such a lofty question? But I think the 'Milky Way' is nothing but the spirits of clouds floating in the sky." Tamamo no Mae replied, and the emperor nodded, impressed by her answer.

Over time, the emperor began to spend more and more time with her, treating her like his wife. Tamamo no Mae became the favorite of the entire court. One night, during a musical performance at Seiryoden, a strong wind blew out all the lights. In the darkness, a bright light suddenly emanated from Tamamo no Mae's body, illuminating the entire hall. The courtiers looked at her in disbelief, and the emperor considered her the incarnation of Buddha himself.

However, one day the emperor suddenly fell ill. His health deteriorated with each passing day, and the doctors were unable to find the cause of the illness. In desperation, the emperor turned to the court diviner Yasunari to divine what might be the cause of his illness. Yasunari, casting his divinations, discovered that Tamamo no Mae was responsible for the emperor’s condition. In reality, she was a hundred-year-old fox from the Nasuno plains in the province of Shimotsuke, who had taken the form of a beautiful woman to gain power.

"Tamamo no Mae is a demon who came here to kill you, my emperor," Yasunari confessed, barely holding back the tremble in his voice. "In the most cruel way: she bewitched everyone to kill you slowly, piece by piece, as you spent evenings with her."

Initially, the emperor did not want to believe the prophecy that Tamamo no Mae was the cause of his illness. She was too precious and exceptionally devoted to him. However, as his health continued to deteriorate, the courtiers pressed to take action according to the diviner’s advice. It was decided to summon Tamamo no Mae to offer a sacrifice to the gods, hoping that in this way the emperor’s health would be restored, or at worst, that her demonic nature would reveal itself during the holy ritual.

Reluctantly agreeing to participate in the ceremony, Tamamo no Mae began the ritual. However, at the moment she was to make the offering, for a brief instant she failed to maintain her appearance as a young woman. Tamamo no Mae suddenly disappeared, and in her place appeared a large, malevolent fox. This was the final confirmation that she was a nine-tailed kitsune who had deceived everyone at the imperial court.

The emperor immediately ordered a hunt for the demonic fox. The two best warriors, Kazusa-no-suke and Miura-no-suke, were chosen for this mission. After lengthy preparations and prayers, they set out to the Nasuno plains to capture Tamamo no Mae. For many days they pursued the fox, who easily avoided their traps with her supernatural abilities.

One night, during a short sleep, Miura-no-suke had a dream in which a beautiful woman begged him for mercy. "Tomorrow I will lose my life by your hand. Please, spare me," she said in tears. Miura-no-suke woke up determined that he must complete this mission.

The next day, at dawn, the fox tried to escape into the mountains. Miura-no-suke, with a drawn bow, shot an arrow that hit the fox straight in the heart. Tamamo no Mae fell dead to the ground, and her body was taken to the capital as proof of triumph. The emperor, though still weakened, felt relief knowing that the dangerous demon had been defeated.

Tamamo no Mae’s body was later transformed into a stone called Sessho-seki, which according to legend, kills anyone who touches it. Thus ended the story of one of the most malevolent figures in Japanese folklore, whose legend has endured for centuries, evoking fear and fascination among people.

History of the Legend and Its Origin

The above legend about the kitsune is one of the most well-known, dark stories about kitsune in Japanese folklore. This story is part of a larger collection of tales called Otogizōshi, which were popular during the Muromachi period (1336-1573).

Otogizōshi

Otogizōshi is a collection of short stories that were widely circulated in Japan from the 14th to the 17th century. These stories, often illustrated, were intended both for entertainment and education. Otogizōshi covers a wide range of topics, including legends, mythology, ghost stories, as well as tales of heroes and deities. Thanks to their popularity, Otogizōshi played a significant role in shaping Japan's literary and folkloric culture.

The legend of Tamamo no Mae fits perfectly into the framework of Otogizōshi, combining elements of mythology, magic, and moral messages. The story of Tamamo no Mae is a classic example of a tale that uses the kitsune figure to convey both the fear of the unknown and moral lessons about the nature of deceit and trust.

Kitsune in Pop Culture

Anime

InuYasha (anime, Rumiko Takahashi, 2000)

"InuYasha" tells the story of Kagome Higurashi, an ordinary girl from Tokyo who is transported to feudal Japan through a magical well. There she meets the half-demon InuYasha, and together they embark on a quest to find the fragments of the shattered Shikon jewel, which possesses immense power. Accompanying them is Shippo, a young kitsune. Shippo is a mischievous fox spirit who joins the group of heroes after his family is killed by demons. His character introduces a humorous element to the series, but also deeper emotional themes related to the loss of family and the quest for justice.

Naruto (anime, Masashi Kishimoto, 2002)

"Naruto" is the story of a young ninja, Naruto Uzumaki, who aspires to become the most powerful ninja in his village, the Hokage. Within Naruto’s body is imprisoned Kurama, the nine-tailed fox demon (kitsune) who was responsible for destroying the village many years ago. Kurama, also known as Kyūbi, plays a crucial role in the plot, influencing Naruto’s power and his development as a warrior. The relationship between Naruto and Kurama evolves from mutual hostility to cooperation and trust, which is a central theme throughout the series.

Video Games

Persona 4 (video game, Atlus, 2008)

"Persona 4" is an RPG in which a group of high school students investigate a series of mysterious murders in their town, using the powers of their Personas, spiritual manifestations of their inner strength. In the game, a kitsune appears as a spiritual guardian of a small shrine, offering help to players in exchange for completing tasks. The kitsune in "Persona 4" helps the heroes by healing their wounds and providing spiritual support, emphasizing its role as a benevolent spirit in Japanese folklore.

Ōkami (video game, Clover Studio, 2006)

"Ōkami" is an action game in which players take on the role of the goddess Amaterasu, who takes the form of a white wolf. Amaterasu collaborates with various characters, including kitsune, to restore balance and harmony in the world. The kitsune in "Ōkami" are depicted as wise and helpful spirits who support Amaterasu in her mission, highlighting their role as guardians and guides in Japanese mythology.

Ghost of Tsushima (video game, Sucker Punch, 2020)

"Ghost of Tsushima" is an action game set in 13th-century Japan, where players take on the role of samurai Jin Sakai, who tries to defend his island from Mongol invasion. In the game, sacred foxes lead the player to hidden Inari shrines. These shrines, through prayers and blessings, enhance Jin’s abilities. Kitsune in "Ghost of Tsushima" symbolize spiritual guidance and protection.

Conclusion

The centuries-old presence of kitsune in mythology, literature, and contemporary pop culture attests to their enduring charm and significance. It is fascinating how these mystical foxes combine elements of goodness and evil, being both guardians and tricksters. This duality makes kitsune so intriguing and complex, and their legends continue to capture the attention of people worldwide, inspiring the creation of more, not-so-obvious stories.

It is worth noting that according to some beliefs, kitsune can use their tails to create fireballs called kitsune-bi, which can only be seen by people with pure hearts. Moreover, there is a legend that if someone catches a kitsune, they can get one wish from it, but must be careful not to offend the spirit, as kitsune can be very vengeful. These and many other curiosities make kitsune an extremely interesting element of Japanese folklore, encouraging the incorporation of elements of this myth into subsequent works of pop culture.

 A connoisseur of Asian culture with a deep-seated appreciation for various philosophies of the world. By education, psychologist and Korean philologist. By heart, an Android developer and an ardent tech aficionado. In tranquil moments, he champions a disciplined way of life, firmly believing that steadfastness, perpetual self-enhancement, and a dedication to one's passions is a sensible path for life.

Personnal Motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest."  - Albert Einstein (possibly)

  Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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