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Disclaimer: These are not by any means infallible. While it's true some of these were pulled from informational sites, most are merely MY speculation and ONLY ONLY ONLY apply to the kitsune of Fox Tails. IE: If you're writing a school report on kitsune, look elsewhere. The links section contains a few sites on kitsune. And, don't take this too seriously, okay? ^^;
The heck is a kitsune?
That fox has two tails...
So what all is fox-magic?
Are there different kinds of kitsune?
What do kitsune eat?
Are kitsune like demons? Are they evil?
What is this 'Honor Code'? And what's the difference between Myobu and Nogitsune?
The heck is a kitsune?
Pronounced keet-suu-nay. Kitsune means 'fox' in Japanese, it can mean both normal foxes and the spirit one. In Fox Tails, the word is strictly used to refer to a spirit fox. The kitsune of Fox Tails are the ones used in Japanese folklore, though the idea of the kitsune originated in China. The kitsune are known as the messengers of Inari, the deity of rice. For more on Inari, click here.
That fox has two tails...
Yep...oh, you wanna know why? In Japanese mythology, it's not uncommon for an animal spirit to have more than one tail to symbolize power and rank (ie: the wolf goddess in Princess Mononoke). This idea was often used in fox stories. In Fox Tails, a kitsune gains another tail every hundred years after it's first hundred years of life (a four-tailed kitsune is at least 400 years old). Though, the kitsune doens't just grow a tail on it's nth birthday. It's simply a marker for it's usual spiritual growth rate.
The more tails a kitsune has, the more powerful and higher ranked it is. I use the idea that a kitsune with three tails is twice as strong as one with two, and a one with four tails is twice as strong as one with three, etc. The highest number of tails a kitsune can have is nine (this can vary depending on who you ask).
Okay, here's the complicated part, kitsune are technically immortal, but can be killed and can only maintain a physical form for 1000 years at the most. If a kitsune dies, it simply remains on the astral plane until it has the energy to reincarnate. If a kitsune achieves the prestigious rank of a nine-tailed kitsune, and grows spiritually enough through the course of its life, it could become a celestial kitsune (tenko) and join the heavenly courts.
So what all is fox-magic?
Being animal spirits and existing on both the physical and astral plains, the kitsune have a talent for using magic. Though they have many different abilities, they are most commonly known as shape-shifters, illusionists, and fire-users. It depends on how many tails a kitsune has to determine what techniques it can use. The earlier ones are usually the abilities to appear human and the use of little luminescent balls of light or flames (also known as kitsune-bi). Lower level kitsune need to cover their head with a leaf to concentrate their energies in order to use any magic.
In Fox Tails, most spirits have the ability to take a human or humanoid form.
Are there different kinds of kitsune?
Yes, many. But for the sake of time, I'll only describe the ones that are used in Fox Tails:
myobu- These are the kitsune who follow Inari, considered good foxes.
nogistune- These are the wild kitsune that do not follow Inari. These are considered to be 'bad' kitsune, though they are not really evil, rather just more unruly and mischievous than most.
tenko- Nine-tailed kitsune who have reached the age of 1000. They are sometimes known as celestial kitsune and usually have white, silver, or gold fur. At this age, the kitsune is usually considered to be either very evil or very benevolent, and is rarely anything in between.
What do kitsune eat?
As a spirit, a kitsune must feed on the energies of its surroundings. (This is the theory known as 'kitsune vampirism'). This can include the energies of water, sound, plants, and even the life energies of people. In Fox Tails, a kitsune feeds off the energies of whatever 'element' (not just fire, earth, water, and wind. It can be anything from those mentioned to sound waves and metal) it is mostly connected to. Though it can get energy from practically anything, its own element gives it the most sustenance. Note: a kitsune can also eat normal foods, but needs spiritual energies to survive.
Are kitsune like demons? Are they evil?
Hoo boy. Depends on your definition of 'demon,' and not by any means. Kitsune are not demons in the sense of 'servants of hell.' They are mostly like 'youkai' which means a phantom or spirit (or a demon with a free will). They are animal spirits, foxes who were blessed by Inari with magical prowess. Now, a kitsune's idea of good and evil is considerably different from a human's. It is very rare for a kitsune to do evil just for the sake of doing evil (The exception is the infamous Tamano-no-mae). As humans, a kitsune has the free will to perform a random act of kindness (if not expect something in return) or play nasty pranks (though these are generally harmless). For instance, things like revenge are not frowned upon in kitsune society.
What is this 'Honor Code'? And what's the difference between Myobu and Nogitsune?
In Fox Tails, kitsune live by an honor code that is believed to be set by Inari (Kitsune can have religion too!). Though the details are not written in stone, and each (Myobu) kitsune follows it in his or her own way. One rule is to always repay debts with equal or greater value. Nogitsune, on the other hand, don't feel a need to follow any such code and merely do what they wish. This gives them much more freedom, but also makes them much more dangerous to deal with.
Well, that's it for now. If you have any other questions, e-mail me.
All content is Copyright (c)2004-2007 by Fallon Willard. You steal, I sue.
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