Having travelled to Japan various times over the past few years, it is common to stumble across depictions of foxes and fox-like beings everywhere. Kitsune, in Japanese, can refer to a Japanese fox of any kind, including a regular fox or a divine fox. You can find them all over Japan. The history of Japanese kitsunes dates back to the very beginning of Japan. In this article, we will discover what a kitsune is. Also, what is the folklore and symbolism surrounding the Japanese fox? Lastly, how can we use the Firefox Kitsune Oracle for divination?
The Symbol of the Fox in Japan
Japan’s concept of god is flexible, as are its representations of the Kitsune. In their Inari form, Kitsune represents good harvests, tea, sake, fertility, prosperity, cunning, smarts, money and business, all in equal measure and at different points.
Although the Shinto pantheon is considered infinite, Inari is an essential spirit, making Kitsune one of the most significant creatures. Inari shrines are the most popular place to see foxes. Thirty-two thousand shrines in Japan depict foxes. This makes up more than 30% of all shrines.
There are 13 types of Kitsune. Each of the thirteen kinds of Kitsune has its element. These include Heaven, Dark and Spirit, Fire, Earth River, Ocean Mountain Forest Thunder, Time, Sound, Time, Time, and Sound.
Powers of the Kitsune
Kitsune are believed to be powerful yokai (supernatural entities) with many abilities. They are intelligent and cunning and can also use their magic to accomplish many different purposes.
Possession
Kitsunetsuki, also known as kitsune-Tsuki, means “The state of being possessed” by a fox. This is one of the most distinctive abilities of the more powerful kitsune yokai. Although such possessions can sometimes be done following Inari’s will in some cases, most kitsune myths reveal malicious intent behind kitsune-Tsuki.
This trickery of the mythical Japanese Foxes was, for a long while, the default explanation for many mental conditions.
Kitsune-Tsuki was thought to be performed on young girls, except in rare cases. According to fox yokai, the foxes could enter Japanese maidens’ bodies through their fingers or between their breasts. The faces of victims after a kitsune Tsuki were sometimes altered to a slimmer and more extended shape. People also sometimes develop new abilities, such as reading overnight.
Japanese culture considers Japanese girls with kitsune-gao (fox-faced) features like narrow faces, low cheekbones and thin eyebrows exceptionally beautiful.
Firefox
Kitsune yokai can also be called masters of lightning and fire. Many stories tell that the Kitsune could create tiny flashes of light or fire to attract, confuse or scare people. The fire was not often used aggressively but almost exclusively used as a mind-games tool like many other kitsune abilities.
Kitsune’s Magical Pearls
Most paintings depict Kitsune, or people they possess, with a small white ball in their mouths. These captivating jewels, often viewed as a magic pearl or a ball of kitunebi light, symbolise the kami Inari, a kami of jewellery. Sometimes, the Kitsune carries the Hoshi no Tama in its fox-like form.
Some myths claim that the magic pearls are Inari’s source of the kitsune power. Other tales say that the Kitsune use the pearls to store their magical abilities when they have people or transform into them. Legends also claim that the Hoshi no Tama, the soul of the Kitsune, is the Hoshi no Tama. The Hoshi no Tama, regardless of the truth, is yet another example of how obsessed the Japanese were with pearls. They even gave them away to their mythical foxes.
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting and transformation are two of the most potent abilities that older, more powerful Kitsune can only obtain. To master this ability, a kitsune must be between 50 and 100 years old. They also need to have many tails. Kitsune can shapeshift once they have learned how to do so. They can also imitate living people and appear as them before others.
The kitsune fox must first place some reeds or a leaf on its head to transform into a human. The kitsune fox can transform into a young boy or older man once they have transformed. They rarely become middle-aged men, for some reason.
Unlike possession or kitsune-Tsuki, where the intention is often malicious, shapeshifting can be done with a more benevolent purpose – the Inari uses the kitsune to guide, teach, or do his bidding.
Firefox Kitsune Oracle
The Firefox Kitsune Oracle deck is a bright and colourful oracle designed by Lucy Cavendish and Meredith Dillman. Many palettes are available within the deck, which makes the colours vibrant. There are many art styles and a wide range of subjects. This deck will feature a variety of figures, including mermaids and dragons. The deck’s imagery focuses on the Kitsune. Although this deck isn’t Japanese anime-style, some characters on the cards are reminiscent of anime. Every card is a joy to flip through during reading due to the technical ability of the artist as well as the sweetness and beauty of the imagery.
The meanings of the cards for the deck include the Kitsune theme. Although ideas about wisdom and age-related abilities are closely tied to the Kitsune folklore, many other card themes are based on familiar concepts of self-care and improvement found in mass-market oracle decks. These ideas include being mindful, finding rest, and being proud of yourself. These concepts are helpful and don’t necessarily conflict with messages from Japanese folklore.
The Foxfire Oracle is a high-quality publication that features thoughtful and evocative illustrations. It is an absolute treat to look at the artwork. I believe it makes this deck easy to read, regardless of whether you have a guidebook. This is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an attractive oracle that can be used as a standalone deck of readings or to accompany Japanese folktale Tarot, Kitsune Tarot or your favourite tarot reading deck. Buy it here.
See also: What is Japanese Forest Bathing?
My Favorite Card
The transcendence oracle card is my favourite as it reminds me of how we delicately cross between our world and the spiritual world. Sometimes we can take excellent knowledge about ourselves from our dreams and apply it to reality.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, the fox in Japan is an auspicious figure steeped in history and mythology. We can see how this figure can be used for divination to find meaning in our hectic modern lives. Furthermore, If you would like a reading by me from the Firefox Kitsune Oracle Deck, I would be happy to give you a reading. You can book an oracle reading here.
