What is the meaning of kitsune in Japanese mythology? It refers to foxes that have supernatural powers, the most important of which is the ability to transform or take possession of a human being. The first mentions of them are found in the legends of China, and only later the mystical belief in kitsune appeared in Japan, where it became enriched with specific details and turned into an independent folklore element. According to legend, the deity Inari once descended to earth on a snow-white fox, giving people prosperity and fertility. Inari has no definite sex, and can appear before a man as a pretty girl or as a gray-haired old man. The deity was accompanied by subordinates - magical foxes with not so much good as mischievous disposition. The Japanese name for foxes is kitsune. They will be discussed in this article.
Classification of kitsune species
Kitsune are extraordinary and mysterious creatures of Japanese folklore. There are two varieties of them in the myths. One is called the Hokkaido fox and the other is called the Kitsune. Both species are bearers of ancient knowledge, use magical powers as needed, live long lives, and eventually transform into a more perfect species. They have incredibly fine hearing, capable of seeing past and future events. When meeting such a red-haired prankster, you must be on guard, she is able to read minds and will definitely try to fool the person you meet.
In Japanese mythology, kitsune is represented as an evil demon, but more often than not, the cunning werewolf spends his time creating traps, taunting gullible wayfarers. There is another classification of foxes:
- Myobu provides support to humans, serving the deity Inari.
- Nogitsune is a fox with a vicious temper, becoming a werewolf that brings terror to the entire area with its bloodthirsty actions.
Kitsune are unsurpassed hypnotists, capable of transporting a person into the future and the past and showing entire theatrical performances.
Deidara
The portrait of Deidara from Akatsuki is complete with sand figures. The memorable blond boy wears a black cloak with clouds. The art draws Deidara with a beautiful sand bird.
Always Coming: The Legend of the Kitsune
The Japanese have composed a romantic legend, tinged with a note of sadness, about a mysterious girl who turns out to be a kitsune. A young man from the Mino region named Ono set out to find a girl of extraordinary beauty. He asked his neighbors and looked at all the local beauties, but all in vain. One day the boy got absolutely sick of grief and his feet led him to a deserted wasteland. In a cloud of milky mist he saw a fantastic sight - in a cloud of reddish hair stood a refined beauty, and in her almond-shaped eyes there splashed a spark of mischief.
Soon the wedding was over, and the young couple had a baby boy. At the same hour, the owner's dog gave birth to a puppy, which disliked the lady. He pounced on the young mistress, and she turned into a fox and ran towards the heath. It began to call out to her in desperation, "Stay a fox if you like it better, but the doors of my house are always open to you. Come to me and our son, we will always be glad to see you. Every night the mistress would return home, where she would regain her human form, but in the morning she would become a red fox. Therefore, "kitsu-ne" can be translated literally, "always coming."
Naruto headband
The heroes' headbands differ in color and the symbol applied to the metal plate. The Village of Hidden Leaf, Hidden Sands, Rain, Winds and Clouds. There are small and large pictures that can be used as a base for a collage or printout.
Kitsunetsuki - obsession or medical syndrome
There are two categories of foxes in Japanese mysticism: "Nogitsune" or free foxes and "Tenko" foxes who serve their lord, the goddess Inari. In some cases, the spirit of a fox can enter a person in moments of weakness or anger. The spirit recovers its strength after being wounded during its stay in human form.
In medical practice, the possession of a fox or Kitsunetsuki is sometimes stated. The possessed person can be recognized by changed gastronomic tastes: love of poultry, tofu, rice, as well as nervousness and increased sexual activity. There is an opinion that this is how the "fox's blood" manifests itself. In ancient times, possessed people were given to exorcists and then purified by fire. In the past, a fox was believed to be the tranquil object of an exorcism, and in the past, a fox was believed to be the deceiver of the animal. A kitsune can be recognized by its reflection in a mirror, or by the shadow it casts, though this statement does not apply to half-breeds and higher kitsune.
Appearance
The main feature of a magical fox's appearance is its tail. The more centuries the creature has lived, the more tails there are; the maximum number is nine. Some legends tell of a new tail appearing once every century; others speak of once every millennium. Most fairy tale characters have one, five or nine tails. A Kitsune with nine tails acquires silver, gold, or snow-white fur. In fairy tale books such foxes are called Kyubi no Kitsune. Kyubi no kitsune is a guardian spirit, a wise being who helps the soul find the right path. Most often it helps the chosen soul for only a day or a few days; less often it becomes attached for years. Nine-tailed mythical beast controls the weather, acts as a guide to other worlds, but does not trust people.
It is known from myths that it is not easy for foxes to hide their tails by transforming into humans. Any attentive hero can expose the magical beast.
The magical creature possesses several tails.
The ability to turn into another form is not limited to transformation into a human. From ancient tales, we know that sometimes Kitsune turns into a giant tree, and from more recent lore, about transforming into a ghost train. In 1889 a legend circulated about a ghostly train on the Yokohama-Tokyo line (the oldest railroad in Japan). The train was running toward the real one, but did not approach it, only frightened the driver. When the driver of the train managed to catch up with the mirage, there was no collision, but a fox got under the wheels. In the middle of the next century, ghost trains appeared in Kyushu. They were thought to be the ghosts of foxes whose homes had been destroyed by the builders of the railroad tracks. Later, stories spread about Kitsune turning into cars and kettles.
Another characteristic of the werewolf is the sounds it makes. There are two shouts: kon-kon and kai-kai. The first indicates belonging to the messengers of Inari, the second indicates the werewolf's evil nature. A suffering fox makes sounds similar to the cry of a newborn baby.
Magical abilities: kitsune's tail
As they mature, foxes gain more and more magical powers. The youngest kitsune have only one tail. As they learn the art of transformation, they cannot hide it well enough under their clothes. Over time, a fox can develop three, five, seven or even nine tails. The ability to hypnotize, to create illusions, the ability to become invisible, to fly, and to change their original shape appear. Young foxes are mischievous among humans, they love shenanigans and deception. Known stories of romance between humans and one-tailed kitsune.
Creatures with five or seven tails have black fur color, they are no longer afraid to show their true appearance. The elite among foxes are nine-tailed kitsune that have reached a respectable age - thousands of years. Such creatures have incredible magical powers, and their pelt takes on a golden, white or silver color. The highest ranks of foxes can live on their own or make up Inari no Kami's retinue. They have unlimited power over time and space, and can transform themselves into any creature or object - a huge tree, a second moon in the sky, a fire-breathing dragon. They subdue the masses of people to their will, or bring madness upon an entire village.
Cell by cell.
It is possible to draw small and large figures of heroes directly into a notebook on the ticks. This is the easiest way for beginners to master their first steps in fine art.
Foxes and Flames
Ever since ancient times, there has been a legend that a fox can cause flame by striking its tail on the ground. Kitsune were creatures who could make fire that did no harm, but there have been some very real disasters from the actions of werewolves. One of the monks was concerned about the fox-kitsune dream, so he began building a 7-story pagoda. As soon as it was built, a fire broke out, after which not only the pagoda burned down, but also many of the inhabitants died.
By the wandering fires in the swamp one recognizes where the kitsune are now frolicking. Red foxes exhale bluish flames or produce them from the tips of their tails. Before the New Year, kitsune from the nearest eight provinces gather to light a fox fire at the foot of an ancient tree. The inhabitants of Japan believed that if the bright flame could be seen far away, it meant that the heavenly foxes would bring prosperity and a rich harvest to the fields.
Kurama
The fabulous nine-tailed fox Kurama is one of the symbols of anime. Drawing him is easy, because there are few details. Some drawings are presented together with the main character. You can also use pictures of all the tailed demons.
The Art of Deception
Foxes have inexhaustible possibilities to create fantastic illusions, to cast a morass on people. They create hallucinations that can briefly deprive a person of the ability to perceive reality adequately. One fox found out about an old man's greed and decided to make fun of him. He saw a huge field of beautiful chrysanthemums in the spring and rushed to pick them in armfuls. After all, chrysanthemums bloom everywhere in the fall, and they can bring a lot of income in the spring if you sell them at the market. Another kitsune decided to play a prank on an old lady who loved to go on theatrical holidays. One day the grandmother was returning home through a mountain pass and found herself in a very real theater, where she saw the touching love story of a courageous samurai and a snow-white fox.
Toby
Toby's red eye is a memorable feature of the character. He is pictured as a child and teenager, and is often drawn with Madara, Itachi, and other members of the Uchiha family.
Revenge for wrongs inflicted
Kitsune the fox takes revenge on his abusers with particular cruelty. A samurai once frightened a werewolf, and he held a grudge. Two messengers from the lord arrived at the warrior's home with orders to seppuku immediately. The warrior wanted to follow the order immediately, but at the last moment the dogs recognized the werewolves, revealing the deception.
In another story, a samurai severely wounded a werewolf while hunting, for which he turned into a human and burned down the offender's house.
Fox lights or "kitsune-bee."
Werewolves can reveal their presence deep into the night with music or flickering lights on the wasteland. If a person shows interest and goes to find out what is happening, there is no guarantee of safety. The source of the lights are star pearls, resembling gems or pearls endowed with magical properties. Kitsune, in fox form, wears the pearls around his neck or in his mouth. If you manage to get hold of such an artifact, the fox will grant any wish for the return of the valuable object.
It is worth remembering that a werewolf can call his friends for help, and then not a reward, but a punishment awaits. But the magical creature must fulfill the wish of the insolent, otherwise he will be demoted in status and position. In exchange for a pearl, the fox can bestow many things, but you should not ask for material items, because the kitsune is a master of lies and tricks. Bullion bars of gold in his hands scatter into pieces of bark, money turns into leaves, and precious stones become pebbles. Intangible gifts of kitsune are unusually valuable - longevity, health, good luck in all matters.
Who is suitable tattoo
Tattoo kitsune means cunning, wisdom, charm, wealth. The owner of such a naked picture - a person with an outstanding mind and thirst for knowledge. He can find a way out of even the most dead-end situations and never falls into despondency. In order to achieve his own goals, such a person uses any methods, sometimes even meanness and cunning. A well-developed intuition and charm help him manipulate people and dispose of himself. To use these qualities for good or for bad depends on the nature and character of the person himself.
Outwardly, the bearer of the tattoo with the kitsune may look a little stiff or detached. Perhaps he has something to hide and he does not seek to share their secrets or experiences with others. His circle of close friends and family is very small, but the person does not want to make new acquaintances. The meaning of the drawing is the same for both men and women.
Often, kitsune is chosen as a talisman, attracting in life the financial well-being and career growth. It is better to do such a tattoo on the closed parts of the body, to give him magical energy and hide from prying eyes. In this case, would be appropriate technique of origami. The image of the paper figurine is sure to bring wealth and help you choose the right path in life.
Inari Shrines - Kitsune Worship
The god Inari has been associated with foxes in the minds of the Japanese for centuries. There are now about 30,000 Inari Shinto shrines in the country, indicating the deity's proximity to every home. The shrines can be recognized from afar because the gate-torias are painted red, which is considered the color of the amulet. They paint the gates with cinnabar, which has long been applied to the face to protect against the influence of evil forces. Over time, painted faces stopped, but still painted the gate god Inari, as well as using the color red in the creation of the Japanese mask kitsune. On both sides of the entrance to the temple grounds sit foxes with their mouths closed or open, some holding in their teeth the keys to the barn with grain, spikelets, or a ball symbolizing a stone that grants all wishes. Foxes are considered patrons of trade, which is associated with the red color of the coat, denoting prosperity and wealth.
Conan
Stylish Conan with purple hair is often depicted in pictures with paper flowers and origami. She wears an Akatsuki cloak and in some artwork is shown with her partner Nagato.
