What is kitsune ...

The Kitsune is a legendary Japanese creature, shaped like a fox, characterized by a beautiful tail. It is one of the Yokai (spiritual entities), which belong to

Japanese mythology since the Heian period, but it is also known in other parts of Asia and fascinates millions of people around the world.

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Kitsune is a symbol of intelligence and long life, therefore it is said to be "intelligent as a fox".

Kitsune love freedom, but are naturally very sociable and playful with others. Their jokes can be funny or dangerous.

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There are different types of Kitsune ...

Zenko (善 ​​狐) -> good fox, she is the messenger of the goddess Inari, deity of agriculture, fertility and good luck.

A statue of Kitsune is commonly found at the entrance to Shinto shrines and temples, with a protective function.

Kitsune has the ability to move from the human to the spiritual world to communicate with the goddess Inari.

The sacred foxes are depicted with a magical white ball in their mouth or tail (ornament known as "hoshi no tama" ほ し の た ま)

or with a star-shaped object.

Yako (野狐) -> wild fox, can behave maliciously, attacking farmers' homes and destroying crops at night.

Ninko (人 狐) -> fox spirit, invisible, is visible only to people who have been possessed by it.

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The legend of Japanese kitsune ...

In some Japanese legends, kitsune foxes develop human skills, learn to speak, and take the form of a beautiful woman or man.

Many kitsune use the female form to visit spring festivals and enjoy the company of men.

Their goal is to find and marry rich men, keeping their human form forever.

One of the main characteristics of kitsune is the ability to keep promises made to humans, using magical powers in favor of the companion.

Therefore, in ancient Japan, women with ambitious and strong behavior were called "kitsune".

In the spiritual form, kitsune is able to possess people or enter their dreams through nails. The most common legends speak of kitsune with one, five, seven or nine tails.