The first mention of kitsune is found in Chinese legends. The mystical faith in these creatures came to Japan later. Over time, the character was supplemented with specific details and became an independent folk element. In Japanese mythology, kitsune is called a fox, possessing supernatural abilities to transform or infuse into a person.
Once, in the form of a fox whiter than snow, the deity Inari came down from heaven with the gift of prosperity and fertility for people. Before a person, a creature can appear in the guise of a gray-haired old man, and a charming young girl.
Heavenly servants
The deity on earth was accompanied by subordinates, magic foxes with a mischievous character, in Japanese "kitsune". In myths there are two types of these mysterious and unusual creatures. The first is called Hokkaido foxes, the second is Kitsune.
They are endowed with magical gifts, they live very long. Over time, they are transformed into more advanced species. They have an incredibly thin ear. Foxes see the past and the future.
The fox has the ability to read minds. Therefore, he is trying without fail to fool the people she met. Japanese mythology also represents kitsune in the form of evil demons. But nevertheless, cunning werewolves spend time creating traps for gullible travelers.
According to another classification, the Mebou foxes support people. Nogitsune has an evil temper. These foxes bloodthirsty terrify the entire district, turning into animals. Kitsune's talents include incredible hypnotic abilities. The foxes make real theatrical performances.
Always coming
There is a sad legend in Japan. Her heroine is a mysterious female fox. A young man, Ono, who lives in the Mino region, tried to find a girl of incredible beauty.
He asked all her friends and neighbors about her, looked closely at local beauties, but there were no results. The legs themselves led a guy who was pining for love to an abandoned wasteland.
Amid the milky white fog, It opened an incredible sight. Shrouded in a cloud of reddish hair, a charming girl appeared before him with a sparkle of mischief splashing in almond-shaped eyes.
Soon, they played the wedding. A baby appeared in a young family. At the same time, the owner's dog whelped. Her cub hated the mistress. He pounced on her. To everyone's amazement, she became a fox and rushed off to the wasteland.
In desperation, the husband rushed after her, begging to return. He agreed that she would remain in the guise of an animal, saying that the doors of the house were always open for her. He begged his wife to return to him and his son. The mistress came every night.
At home, she regained her human image, but the next morning she turned back into a fox. Therefore, "kitsu-ne" is translated as "always coming."
"Kitsunetsuki" is called obsession syndrome. In the mythology of the Land of the Rising Sun, there are two categories of foxes. Freedom or "nogitsune" and "tenko", servants of Inari. Sometimes a fox's spirit can infuse a person. So he restores lost due to wound strength.
Medical practice interprets the infusion as "kitsunetsuki" obsession. It is easy to recognize the syndrome by a sharp change in tastes. The wearer of the spirit is incredibly addicted to tofu, poultry, rice. It also becomes nervous and exhibits increased sensory activity.
Magical abilities
Suspected of turning people with a special type. Distinguished by a caudate pseudo-man were thick hair, almond-shaped eyes set close together, a slightly snub-nosed and slightly elongated nose.
Kitsune is recognized by specular reflection or the shadow cast by them. Kitsune's magical powers increase over time. The youngest are distinguished by a single tail. When learning the art of reincarnation, it is difficult for them to hide it under clothing. Over time, the fox appears from three to nine tails, the ability to hypnotize, create illusions, become invisible, change appearance.
Young mystical foxes tend to play pranks, they adore various tricks. Between single-tailed werewolves and humans, a romantic relationship is possible. Five and seven-tailed creatures have black hair.
Dark foxes are not afraid to appear in this image. The elite are nine-tailed kitsune. Such creatures are a thousand or more years old. They have reached an incredible level of development of magical abilities. Nine-tailed kitsune has a skin with a golden, white or silver tint.
The higher ones live on their own or are included in the retinue of Inari no Kami. Their power over space and time has no boundaries. They are able to turn into any creatures. At a respectable age, kitsune can transform into a giant tree or become the second moon in the sky, transform into a fire-breathing dragon. They subordinate crowds of people to their will.
Rewards and punishments
From ancient times, a legend has been known that a werewolf fox causes a flame with a tail strike on the ground. These creatures are able to start a fire that does no harm to anyone. However, real disasters from their actions can happen.
One day, a monk became alarmed after dreams of a hekai and decided to start building a pagoda about seven floors. Immediately after completion of construction, a fire began. Not only the building burned down, but many people suffered.
Places where kitsune are entertained are recognized by wandering swamp lights. Red cheats exhale a bluish flame. Before the New Year, those gathered at the foot of an ancient kitsune tree light fox lights. The Japanese believe that bright flames seen from afar promise prosperity with a rich harvest in the field.
The fox can create incredible illusions endlessly. They like to bring a hassle to a person. Hallucinations inspired by them briefly deprive people of the reality of perception. Once such a fox found out about the greed of the old villager and decided to play a trick on him. A man who saw a huge field of spring chrysanthemums rushed in armfuls to tear them.
He dreamed of a considerable income after selling rare flowers in the market. Imagine his disappointment when the field and flowers in his hands melted away like smoke.
Another fox wanted to entertain an old woman who adored visiting the theater. When she returned home, she found herself in a real theater, where she was shown a touching love story of a courageous samurai and a snow-white fox. Grandmother didn’t feel disappointed.
How to behave with kitsune
Ekai is taking revenge on the offenders. Concealing an offense against the samurai who offended him, he used all his arsenal of magical powers. One evening, envoys from the master arrived at the man’s home and ordered them to commit ritual suicide immediately. He was about to follow the order, as the deception was revealed.
Going around the fox means avoiding its traps. Although folklore refers to the tricks of mythical creatures with indulgence, it is better not to come across foxes on the road. If the meeting is inevitable, it is better to appease kitsune.
To get rid of the sent hallucinations, sprinkle with salt around the confused one, asking the werewolf to leave. Identification of the essence is possible by means of fire. If you bring it to the hekai, he takes on a true appearance.
The presence of werewolves is given out by night music or flickering on the wastes of lights. If a person interested in unusual phenomena sets off to find out what is happening, nothing guarantees him safety.
Sources of lights - star pearls endowed with magical properties. They are worn by kitsune in a fox look. If someone manages to take possession of the artifact, the fox will fulfill any desire for the return of value. A werewolf can call friends for help.
In this case, waiting for the kidnapper is not a reward, but a punishment. However, the fulfillment of the desire to abolish the Japanese Ekai is not in power: inevitably, a decrease in status and position.
For the pearl, the fox gives many. But asking her for material goods is unreasonable: foxes are too fond of tricks. As a result, precious stones will turn into pebbles, and gold will turn into a bark. The most valuable gifts are longevity, good luck and health.
