Kitsune

Kitsune are a type of werefox that originated in Japan. They have both human, fox and hybrid forms. Unlike werewolves their transformations appear to be unconnected to the lunar cycle. A common feature of Kitsune is multiple fox tails, the strongest of kitsune typically nine tails. Several theories exist about how kitsune get their tails, one of which is that they get a tail for every 110 years old they are up to 880 when they get their 9th tail.

If you cut off one of a kitsune’s tails it reduces their power but it also makes them really really angry… at you… not really a good thing so I suggest avoiding that. (Thanks to Survivor Mr. Mutt for that great survival tip)

One thing that makes kitsune very different from werewolves is that while werewolves are humans who turn into wolves, kitsune are foxes that turn in to humans.

According to kitsunologists on this site including The One, the key to identifying a kitsune in human form is understanding that while kitsune can change into almost any human form, they usually always have some detail wrong. Kitsune with nine tails have the least details wrong. So look for the following telltale signs:

• pointed ears
• a tail
• fox like eyes
• flame red hair.

“Be cautious with kitsune as some are known to posses people and burn down villages,” cautions The One, adding that kitsune can only be killed by blessed bullets, the breaking of their star ball, or the sin of regret. ”Which basically means that they can never regret….. ANYTHING.”

So how often do they change and why and how? If you have any additional intel please add it to the database below.

Thanks for keeping on,

Seth

The following glossary of Kitsune terms provided by Survivor Silver. (<— Thank You)

Bakemono-Kitsune – a name for a sorcerer or evil fox usually as a Reiko, Kiko or Koryo i.e. some sort of non-physical fox

Genko– black fox, usually seen as a good omen

Kiko – spirit fox, see Reiko

Kitsune – fox, a general term for a fox regardless of the circumstance normally used for ‘good’ and ‘evil’ foxes alike

Koryo – haunting fox, see Reiko

Kuko – air fox, very bad kitsune, considered on the same level as Tengu (Japanese goblins)

Nogitsune – wild fox, used at one time to differ between good and bad foxes. At the time they used ‘kitsune’ to mean a good fox/messenger from Inari and nogitsune as all foxes who did mischief and tricked people. Not really considered evil, more like prankish.

Reiko – ghost fox, perhaps not on the ‘evil’ side but definitely a ‘bad’ fox.

Shakko – red fox, could be considered good or €vil, the same as Kitsune really

Tenko – celestial fox, kitsune which have reached the age of 1,000 years, they are usually said to have 9 tails (and sometimes are said to have golden fur) but they are either considered very €vil such as Tamamo-no-mae or benevolent and wise such as messengers to Inari

Yako/Yakan – fox, see Kitsune