About Kitsune

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This is for foxy-like things ~! Mostly kitsune, but if someone can think of any other Canine-based animal/creature, post a something and we'll get it up!

Kitsune Handbook for general use
Version 1.5
Shengokai / Kishin

Sources consulted:
http://www.comnet.ca/~foxtrot/kitsune/kitsune4.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/mac2/g_woodrow4/KitGuide.html
http://www.coyotes.org/kitsune/
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/j/p/jpa1...les/kitsune.htm
The Goblin Fox And Badger And Other Witch Animals of Japan (U.A. Casal)
Kitsune: Japan’s Fox of Mystery, Romance, and Humour (Kiyoshi Nozaki)

Disclaimer:

This guide is an amalgamation of the information that I have collected on kitsune. It deviates from the other guides commonly referenced in that it does not separate the kitsune into types based upon their derivative legends, rather, it attempts to provide a comprehensive reference to the whole of kitsune lore. In doing this, elements have been omitted, redefined, and broadened in an attempt to give depth to the race as a whole. This guide has been formulated for play in a freeform environment and should be applied therein.

Table of contents

1: What is a Kitsune?
A: Debate on the different types of Kitsune
2: Kitsune as elementals
3: Kitsune as non-elementals
B: Debate on the different powers of kitsune (incomplete)
4: Powers and abilities (incomplete)
5: Weaknesses (incomplete)
C: Nogitsune and Myobu, fundamental differences (incomplete)
6: Inari worship (incomplete)
7: Daikitini worship (incomplete)
8: Conclusion (incomplete)

Chapter 1: What is a Kitsune

"Kitsune is an animal supposed to be mysterious, fascinating, and mischevious. And he is believed to be very grateful for the kindness done to him, as seen in many tales, and is also affectionate as revealed in some dramas. He is enshrined as a god because of his supernatural power. He is endowed with the subtle art of metamorphosis, and he is able to bewitch men in the guise of a charming girl. An exceedingly interesting and entertaining beast Kitsune is."

To understand the full nature of a kitsune, it is important to understand the nature of Kami within japanese society. Loosely translated as "god" or "spirit", a kami is the end evolution of any object that is not human. For example, if left alone, untended for an extreme period of time, zori eventually become "bake-zori": monstrous, animated sandals that seek vengeance for their mistreatment. This same process of transformation can be applied to any other creature within the japanese lexicon, and the kitsune is no exception.

Upon reaching a certain age, a mundane fox may "evolve" into a kitsune. Scholars have noted that this is a fusion of the animistic Shinto religion and the cyclic nature of buddhism which has permeated through Japan. In essence, the fox, having lived a "pure" life, recieves enlightenment after a certain period of time. This endows the fox with certain "magical" abilities stemming from its enlightened nature, and bestows upon it the quality of "kami". As with any other object turned kami, kitsune may become guardians, patrons, or malefactors based upon the life which preceded its "enlightenment".

Another method of a kitsune's presence is mentioned by Kit La Hase in his discussion of the kitsune nature:

"A kitsune just ‘appearing’ means either the walls of the spirit world and the physical world are weak, or could possibly be taken as an omen.
Whatever the reason, a manifested kitsune is a very rare and very noticeable event. Such a creature would require offerings, prayers, or some source of energy to be able to appear, or to remain for long periods, and is most likely in their domain."

The kami nature of kitsune is unique: where as most kami do not require sustinence from the lands beyond that which a mundane version would require, kitsune require regular offerings to remain present, lest they begin to damage the land. However, it should not be assumed that the offerings themselves provide the kitsune with the energy to remain, it is the feelings of the offering individual that the kitsune seeks.This is an example of the kitsune as a vampiric spirit: at some level, all kami exert a pull upon the chi in an area, only the kitsune and the nekomata exert so harsh a pull upon the environment.

This vampiric nature is the reason that the kitsune will use their foxfire to lead travellers astray and seduce women (and men). One might cite the legend of Tamanomae as an example. A kitsune who seduced the emperor of that time, Tamanomae was responsible for hundreds upon hundreds of deaths as she required a large amount of energy to fuel her continued presence.

Why Tamanomae required such a high body count and why some kitsune do not is simple to explain: Tamanomae existed in a purely Kami form, and therefore exerted a larger pull on the surroundings. "Being summoned, or manifesting, takes a lot of power, to allow the kitsune to ‘be there’ on the physical world. This is probably the most rare form of kitsune appearance." (LaHase 6) Simply put, a kitsune simply does not appear in full on spirit form unless certain qualifications are met, or the fox is summoned into being by a sufficiently powerful magician who acts as its tie to the physical realm. Other means of manifestation include possessing a corpse, possessing a fox, or transforming oneself into an object. Of course, the unwritten form of the kitsune, that of the "enlightened" fox requires the least amount of energy for it is the Kitsune's natural form. Each of these methods of transformation have their own unique drawbacks, and these will be covered in the fifth chapter of this guide.

Part A: Debate on the powers of a Kitsune

In recent years, it has become extremely popular to portray Kitsune as elemental creatures. This is a source of controvercy amongst kitsune scholars in that few legends explicitly mention the kitsune acting in this elemental capacity: the majority of legends present kitsune in their spirit or "enlightened" fox forms. Proponents of the non-elemental kitsune theory point towards the usage of the elemental kitsune in Mercedes Lackey's series of books in which a kitsune is a main character. also, detractors have cited that a single shrine maiden was the source of information for said books and the MU* that followed.

However, strong evidence for elemental kitsune can be found in the Genji Monogatari where a Kitsune is claimed to have been summoned by the titular Genji's jealous lover. Furthermore, the Uji-Shui Monogatari depicts a demonic Reiko in all of its glory. Elemental kitsune also appear as opponents in a number of japanese media: pokemon, for example, depicts the "Ninetails" and "Eevee" (with exception of Umbreon and Espeon) pokemon as elemental kitsune. In fact, fushimi inari shrine outside of kyoto depicts kitsune in various shrines to elements as well as alone without an element.

Given the debate between scholars, this guide will address elemental and non elemental kitsune as seperate but equal paths in development.

Chapter 2: Elemental Kitsune

"All my research so far have come to the agreement on the kitsune being connected to the thirteen elements, since the author of Kitsune has identified Heaven and Dark kitsune. (Celestial kitsune and Void kitsune). Other research has explained how other animal kami have connections to the other elements, with tengu being connected to mountain, thunder, and heaven, and tanuki being connected to forest and river."

While this is a valid point in kitsune lore, thirteen elements do not appear in any other mythicism beyond the citations of "Kitsune" itself. Common japanese mysticism places the elements in an arrangement called the "godai" or five greats in english. Wikipedia lists them in the following order:

"The five elements are, in ascending order of power, 地 ( chi) Earth, 水 (sui or mizu) Water, 火 (ho, ka or hi) Fire, 風 (fū or kaze) Wind, and 空 (kū). This last is usually translated as "void" when referring to the elements, but refers to "sky" in most other contexts, and is therefore sometimes translated as "Heaven"."

To this, I would add a modification: heaven as a distinct element from void. A vast majority of kitsune lore depicts kitsune of heave and kitsune of void as distinct entities bound in an eternal conflict of light and dark. These heavenly kitsune are titled "Myobu" and are considered the attendants, or guardians, of Inari, the patron deity of kitsune, or one of the patron dieties of kitsune: these will be discussed in more detail in following chapters.

Elements are not inborn in kitsune, they are acquired. Just as a crystal will take upon the properties of the stones around it, a kitsune will take upon the elements of its surroundings. For example, the kitsune who dwells primarily in the mountains or a place where there is a prevalence of earth will acquire an element of earth, The same is true for kitsune of other elements with exception to void and heaven: these foxes receive their elements as part of a pact with their respective god: either inari or daikiniten. Another explination of the kitsune of void could come with the application of the element: in martial arts, void is representative of the ability to respond without thinking, of being one with oneself. If the nature of the kitsune is to pull on the surroundings, Void kitsune could be said to be totally at one with their vampiric nature.

Wikipedia lists the elements and their personality effects as follows:

" 地 Chi (sometimes ji) or tsuchi, meaning "Earth", represents the hard, solid objects of the world. The most basic example of chi is in a stone. Stones are highly resistant to movement or change, as is anything heavily influenced by chi. In people, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi. Emotionally, chi is predominantly associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality, and gravity. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi mode or "mood", we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action."

"水 Sui or mizu, meaning "Water", represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Outside of the obvious example of rivers and the like, plants are also categorized under sui, as they adapt to their environment, growing and changing according to the direction of the sun and the changing seasons. Blood and other bodily fluids are represented by sui, as are mental or emotional tendencies towards adaptation and change. sui can be associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism."

"風 Fū or kaze, meaning "Wind", represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Aside from air, smoke, and the like, fū can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities. Fū represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an "open-minded" attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom."

Where Ten and Ku are concerned, I will attempt to synthesize my own thoughts on these elements, given that sources on the elements make no clear distinction between the two. In fact, the majority of the research into these elements presents them as a duality of one another: two sides of the same coin.

空 Kū is typically translated as "void" and represents the emptiness of space and celestial bodies. Ku is typically invoked by most martial artists when they attempt to elevate their minds to mushin, literally "no thought". Ku can be the night sky: devoid of stars. Philosophically, it is represented as the emptiness of buddhism. Essentially, it is a representation that all things are in a state of decay and nothing exists permanently within the world. Within buddhism, insight into this element provides inner peace by severing the ties of attachment.

天 Ten or "heaven", represents everything beyond our comprehension, especially those things of light and purity. Ten is the "holy" aspect of the kitsune, typically associated with the goddess Inari. According to wikipedia "it represents our ability to think and to communicate as well as our creativity." It is typically used in invocations of the heavens, in spells of sealing and purification.

Chapter 3: Non Elemental Kitsune.

The non elemental kitsune is most often referred to in legends, tales of the shapeshifting fox were it is attributed with supernatural powers. This variety of kitsune most closely resembles the standard youkai to the point where one of the varieties of kitsune is termed "bake-kitsune" or monstrous fox.

Genko, the black foxes of good fortune, are possessed of a benevolent nature: their presence is a sign of a good omen. In legends, myths, the genko seems to retain all of the shapeshifting capacity of the common kitsune. Indeed, the genko can be found bringing wealth to the poor, guiding lost warriors to their generals, and protecting those in need. Beyond the heavenly kitsune, the Genko, or "good" kitsune are representative of benevolence.

Lafcadio Hearn states "Some people again class foxes into Superior and Inferior Foxes, and allege the existence of four Superior Sorts--Byakko, Kokko, Jenko", I have omitted "Reiko" from this list for it falls under the element of Ku - void. Additionally, there exists the invisible Kiko: the spirit fox which possess humans and other creatures as its avatar.

Byakko - white fox, similar to the Genko.
Kokko - (unknown, more research needed)
Osaki-Kitsune - Name means "tall promontory"

Kuda-kitsune/kanko - tiny kitsune, supposedly able to fit in a small bamboo pipe. This kitsune is more of a sub-group of Kitsune than a true kitsune. There are no recorded legends of a Kanko obtaining more than nine tails, nor possessing any of the supernatural powers of their larger brethren. There are legends of the kanko being summoned by Kitsune-tsukai, the fox mages, of japan as familiars or as a form of shikigami (summoned beast) for a variety of purposes.

All of the kitsune mentioned above possess the typical kitsune powers, which will be discussed in the chapter on power.