What Shintos Say the Fox Says

Norwegians are not the only one intrigued by the fox. Kitsune, the Japanese word for fox, has been a common subject of Japanese folklore for centuries. Japanese legends almost always portray the fox as wise and possessing magical abilities. Perhaps the most interesting of their powers is the ability take on human form. Where the stories differ is in the fox's character. In some stories, he takes on the trickster archetype. This roll for the fox is common one not only in Japanese folklore, but in alternative fables such as "The Fox and the Crow" and other Aesop fables who is said to be either Ethiopian or Greek and lived during 620-560 BC and "Reynard the Fox," from medieval European folklore. It is also present in other western tales a little closer to home, such as the story of Br'er rabbit and Br'er fox, which originated from Africa, and was made popular by the Disney movie and has managed to remain relevant thanks to the Disney Land theme park ride, Splash Mountain.

It is said that in ancient Japan, foxes and humans lived close by one another. This helps explain Akira Kurosawa's 1990 film, Dreams. This movie is based on the old Japanese legend that when the sun shines through the rain, the Kitsune (foxes) have their wedding ceremonies. A young boy defies his guardian when he goes into the forrest during the rain and ends up witnessing a fox marriage. He comes running back home when a fox catches him watching. His guardian (possibly his mother) turns him away. She says he has incurred the wrath of the fox and that he needs to ask the fox's forgiveness before he can be allowed back into the house. However, she warns him that it is unlikely that the fox will actually forgive him and hands him the knife the fox left at the house, suggesting he should commit suicide. The fox is said to live at the end of the rainbow* and so the boy ventures off in the direction of the rainbow, as he has no other option but to face the fox.

*Apparently there is enough room under a rainbow for leprechauns and foxes to live there in harmony




Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto Kami (spirit). They serve as Inari messengers. This role in Shinto religion has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. Kitsune tails represent power. The more tailed a kitsune has (the maximum being nine) the greater it's age wisdom, and more power. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a deity. Kitsune are not ghosts, but rather yokai, or sprits. Spirit, in the Shinto sense of the word, refers to a state of knowledge or enlightenment. Thus, it makes sense that the foxes are always depicted as fairly intelligent creatures in Japanese folklore.

Because of the foxes mysterious nature and its seemingly contradicting ability to act as both deity and demon, Shinto's would liking say the fox speaks in both blessings and/or curses, depending on the circumstance. The fox can be gracious or vengeful according to what the situation requires him to be. I would highly recommend getting on the fox's good side if you ever happen upon one.