Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun literally, a
fox , especially: - noun mythology a Japanese fox spirit, normally female, said to have powers such as shape-shifting, and whose power is symbolized by increase in number of tails
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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A kitsune is a supernatural fox being, perhaps one of the best known of Japanese legendary creatures.
Archive 2007-10-01 nissa_amas_katoj 2007
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A kitsune is a supernatural fox being, perhaps one of the best known of Japanese legendary creatures.
Japanese legendary creatures for fiction writers nissa_amas_katoj 2007
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They are a type of yokai, or spiritual entity, and the word kitsune is often translated as fox spirit.
Avencius - Comments 2009
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They are a type of yokai, or spiritual entity, and the word kitsune is often translated as fox spirit.
Avencius - Comments 2009
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It is only a euphemism for kitsune-mochi; the inu-gami is only the hito-kitsune, which is supposed to make itself visible in various animal forms.
Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan Second Series Lafcadio Hearn 1877
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“So you're a kitsune I've read about in a book aren't you?”
Arcana Magi Pure - c.1 H-M Brown 2011
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The kitsune will train you properly in casting spells.
Arcana Magi Pure - c.4 H-M Brown 2011
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The Central Asian stories about snakes that could assume human form and the Japanese kitsune, fox spirits that were able to become beautiful women.
The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011
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And here's an explanation of what exactly is going on in the 3: 14 am Easter Egg. I had assumed the fox was a kitsune, which I now see was incorrect, and I missed evidence to the contrary that I should have recognized (such as his/her tai chi habit).
be the change that you want to see matociquala 2009
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“It's a shame that a kitsune would betray her people and side with the mukado.”
Arcana Magi Pure - c.3 H-M Brown 2011
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You are probably already thinking of Japan’s religious and folklore traditions, with its Buddhist, Shinto, and animist ingredients—of Japanese temples, monk exorcists, or shapeshifting fox spirits (kitsune)—which are indeed delightful tools for populating a story, just like elves or griffins.
The Ghost Did What?! Translation Exposing Providentialist Thinking Ada Palmer 2023
simianaudio commented on the word kitsune
Romaji for fox.
Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; kitsune usually refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom.
Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.
(Source: Wikipedia)
September 24, 2008