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Fox (Kitsune)
Kitsune (kitsu: sound of fox's yelp, ne: signifies an affectionate feeling). The fox of Japanese legend is said to possess supernatural powers, including the power of transformation, and to be mischievous.
The fox is also known for assuming the form of a human or bewitching them, many times to tempt or seduce them. The "kyubi kitsune" or nine-tailed
fox are the most powerful and oldest of all foxes. Foxes of legend are many kinds: white, celestial, wild, and many others.
The fox is known as a messenger of Inari, the God of Rice, and to be
mischievous. It is said to possess supernatural powers, including
the power of transformation. These messengers were white foxes and thought to be invisible to humans. Though this was not always the case
as at the Suwa shrine in the winter, the guardian fox had to cross the lake first so that people knew it would be safe for them to do so after.
Japan and China are not the only countries with fox legends in the East. Similar legends of the fox appear in Korean folklore as well, though with slightly less of a friendly reputation. The nine-tailed
fox or Kumiho holds many of the same traits: ability to transform (usually into a young girl), bewitchment. In the tales, unlike the Japanese counterpart, the kumiho is known to do harm, and thus
is a more malicious creature. Unlike the Japanese fox which has a reputation not just as a trickster, but also a whimsical side.
Because the fox is known as a trickster in Japan and China, this is probably why Miaka makes a fox
reference to Chichiri in Fushigi Yuugi, as he disappears into his hat and seems to have a bit of magical side; he's a little trickster like.
Kitsune-Tsuki (fox lunacy) Possession (usually a woman) by a fox spirit.
Depression was one reason said to lead one open to fox possession. The
fox is known as a messenger of Inari, and to be mischievous. It is said to
possess supernatural powers, including the power of transformation. Himeko thinks fox possession may be at play in the first Miyu OVA ep.
Actors in the costume of kitsune men perform ritual in ep 22 of the Miyu TV series and fight the shinma to protect Miyu until she has awakened. In this case the kitsune is a kind of protective animal it seems, and also
perhaps may hold some kind of spiritual or ritualistic link as they choose kitsune masks to perform the needed ritual for the new guardian.
Sakura is a legendary kyubi kitsune (nine-tailed fox) in Hyper Police.
A fox with nine-tails shows up in Pokemon. And in ep. 41 of Wedding Peach, a trickster fox
transforms into Yousuke and the aitenshi.
When the villagers first capture Kagome in volume 1 of Inu-Yasha they wonder if she is perhaps a kitsune using magic as her appearance is highly suspicious. This shows
the high superstition and value on folk beliefs of the time. Shippo is a kitsune and makes his first appearance in volume 3. He has the power of fox fire. Fox fire or kitsune-bi
can take the form of lights that are attributed to foxes. Or it could be a fireball. Foxes in some tales were also given the attribute of fiery breath. Little Shippo can shoot flames
from his mouth Another instance of fox-fire comes from the fox-fire shield created by Shippo's father to protect his son and Kagome from Hiten's attack. Even in death, the magical kitsune's pelt and
spirit still hold power. For more on this see Kiyoshi Nozaki's book on the Kitsune. In volume 4 Shippo helps Kagome by placing a leaf on his head to transform into a bow and arrow for her. Like the fox in legend, Shippo can shape-shift into anything he wishes or create
the illusion of being anyone.
From Kit: In Yu Yu Hakusho, Kurama, one of the main characters, is a reincarnated fox demon. Also, there is an anime called Naruto. The story follow a boy, Naruto, who has the spirit of a demon fox sealed inside of him. Naruto is a prankster, but he dreams of becoming his village's top ninja.
*Background information from Ask John Archive at AnimeNation.com, "Kumiho" at Pantheon.org, and Kitsune by Kiyoshi Nozaki.