History Kitsune /Fox
Kitsune is the name for the animal fox in Japanese. In Japanese folklore, foxes are often featured in various stories as intelligent creatures with magical abilities which improves as the wiser and the more the old fox. Foremost is able to transform into a human form. In the legend, the fox is often described as a faithful guardian, friend, lover, or wife, although often there is a story of a fox deceive people.
In ancient Japan, foxes and humans living close to each other so that the legend of kitsune arise out of friendship between man and fox. In Shinto, kitsune called Inari who served as a messenger of Us. The more tail owned kitsune (kitsune can have up to nine tails), the older, wiser, and the stronger the kitsune. Some people give offerings to kitsune because it is considered to have supernatural powers.
Origin
Nine-tailed fox (huli jing) similar to kitsune in Chinese folklore.
Myth kitsune is often a matter of debate, because it is entirely possible to come from foreign sources or it may be the original Japanese concept that developed in the 5th century BC. Most of the myths about the fox in Japan can be traced to the folklore of China, Korea, or India. The oldest story about kitsune comes from Konjaku Monogatari which contains a collection of stories of Japan, India, and China are derived from 11.Cerita century Chinese folk creature tells huli jing (fox spirits) that is similar kitsune and can have up to nine tails. In Korea, a creature called Kumiho (nine-tailed fox) is a mystical creature that had been outstanding for more than a thousand years. Fox in China and Korea are depicted separately with fox in Japan. Unlike in Japan, in Korea Kumiho fox is always depicted as evil creatures. Nevertheless, scientists such as Ugo A. Casal found similarities in the story about the fox showed that kitsune myths originated book of India as Hitopadesha spread to China and Korea, and finally to Japan.
Conversely, a Japanese folklore, Kiyoshi Nozaki, argued that kitsune has been regarded as a friend of the Japanese people since the 4th century, and elements imported from China and Korea are just ugly kitsune properties. Nozaki stated that in the script Nihon Ryakki origin to the 16th century, there is a story about the fox and humans coexist in ancient Japan, so according to Nozaki is the background of the emergence of the Japanese original legend of kitsune. Inari researcher named Karen Smyers found the idea of a fox as the seducer of man, and the relationship of the fox myths to Buddhism were introduced into Japanese folklore through similar stories from China, but Smyers told some stories contain story elements are unique to Japan.
Etymology
Hokkaido fox is sleeping in the snow. In Japan there are two red fox subspecies: Hokkaido fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki), and the Japanese red fox (Vulpes vulpes japonica).
According to Nozaki, the word "kitsune" comes from the onomatopoeic. The word "kitsune" comes from the sound of barking fox by hearing the Japanese reads "Kitsu", while the suffix "ne" is used to show affection. The origins of the word kitsune Nozaki also be used to show further evidence that the story of the fox kind in Japanese folklore domestic goods and imports is not the story. Beep "Kitsu" as the voice of the fox barks is not known today. In modern Japanese, a fox sound written as "kon kon" or "gon gon".
The origins of the name "kitsune" fairy tale told in the oldest until now still often told people, but it contains etymological explanations that are now considered not true. In contrast with most fairy tales that tell of kitsune can change into a woman and married man, this fairy tale does not end tragically following:
Man named Ono origin Mino (according to ancient Japanese legend 545 years), spending season after season fantasizing about a beautiful woman who suits him. One evening, Ono met the ideal woman in a vast meadow, and the two eventually married. Along with the birth of their first son, the breed of Ono also gave birth. Puppies born to grow as a dog that is increasingly fierce against Ono wife. Request her to kill the fierce dog was rejected Ono. At the end of a day, the fierce dog attacked his wife with ferocious Ono. Ono's wife was so frightened that transformed into a fox, jumped the fence and ran away.
"Wife, you might be a fox," Ono once calling his wife to go home, "but you're still the mother of my son and I love you. Come back when you have a moment, I'm always waiting for you. "
The wife finally return home at dusk every day, and slept in the arms of Ono.
The term "kitsune" is the term for demon fox who came home as a husband and a woman at dusk, but go in the morning as a fox. In Japanese kuna, the word "Kitsu-ne" means "come and sleep", while the word "ki-Tsune" means "always come".
Kitsune are believed to have a super intellect, the power of magic, and a long life. As a kind of Yokai or spirits, "kitsune" is often described as a "ghost fox" but not a ghost, and the physical form is no different from regular foxes. All foxes that longevity is also believed to have supernatural abilities.
Kitsune are classified into two major groups. Zenko group consisting of fox benevolent nature sainthood (often called Inari foxes), and a group of prairie fox (yako) who likes playing with humans and are even jahatTradisi various regions in Japan are still classifies kitsune further. Invisible fox spirits called ninko for example, will be visible only human being possessed ninko. Another tradition classifies kitsune into one of 13 types of kitsune possessed by supernatural abilities.
Physically, kitsune are believed to have up to nine tails. A growing number of tail usually indicates that the older fox but getting stronger. Some even say folklore fox's tail only grow if the fox is already 1,000 years old
In folklore, kitsune often described the caudate one, five, seven, or nine. When kitsune get tail 9th, kitsune fur becomes white or gold. Kitsune type is called Kyubi no kitsune (nine-tailed kitsune) and have the ability to hear and see all the events that happen in the world. Another myth describes them as being super-wise and all-knowing.
Monster card (Obake Karuta) from the beginning of the 19th century pictorial kitsune
Kitsune can be transformed into a human and these new capabilities come after kitsune reached a certain age (usually 100 years), although some stories say 50 years. Demon fox had to put a kind of reed plants that grow near water, leaf width, or a skull on his head as a condition of form change. Foxes can be transformed into a beautiful woman, a daughter, or the old man. Changes in this embodiment is not limited to age or sex change, and kitsune could be a twin of the figure of a specific person.
The fox is very popular with the ability to change shape as a beautiful woman. In the Middle Ages, the Japanese believe that there was a woman who was alone at dusk or at night is the possibility of a fox.
In some stories, kitsune have difficulty hiding their tails when you're pretending to be human. Kitsune are often caught in search of his tail, perhaps when the fox was drunk or careless. This weakness can be used to ensure the human being viewed is stealth kitsune.
Various variations of the story tells of kitsune as beings who still maintain characteristics change, such as body bermantelkan fine hairs, stealth shadow shadow kitsune same as foxes, or kitsune stealth seen as a fox when it is being filled. The term "kitsune-gao" (advance kitsune) used in Japan to describe women who faced the narrow, adjacent eyes, thin eyebrows and high cheekbones. In the old days, women faced kitsune-gao considered beautiful, and is believed to be the fox that is being changed shape as women in some fairy tale.
Kitsune scared and hated dogs, even when it is being transformed as human beings. Most kitsune even trembling when they saw the dog, back transformed into a fox and ran helter-skelter. People who are obedient and dutiful reportedly easy to recognize the demon fox.
One folklore tells of imperfections changes in the form of a kitsune who was a man named Koan. According to the story, Koan is wise and has the magic power was taking a shower at the home of one of his students. Cooked turns bath water is too hot, and Koan foot blisters when it got into the tub. "Koan who are in pain, ran out of the bathroom naked. The people in the house who saw shocked. Koan turns over his body covered with feathers like a coat, following the tail of a fox. Koan then change form in the presence of his disciples into an old fox and escape. "
Supernatural abilities that are owned kitsune, among others: the mouth and tail that could emit flames or lightning (known sebagaikitsune-bi which literally means "fire kitsune"), makes man possessed, gave a message in a dream people to do something, fly, invisible, and create the illusion that such detail until indistinguishable from reality. In some stories, kitsune have even greater power again, until it can alter space and time, makes people angry, or turned into fantastic shapes, like a very tall tree or as a second moon in the sky. Other kitsune have characteristics reminiscent of vampires or succubus and prey on the human spirit, usually through sexual contact.
Kitsunetsuki
Inari and the fox spirits help the blacksmith Munechika when making swords Ko-kitsune-maru (Small Change) at the end of the 10th century (the theme noh drama Sanjo Kokaji)
Kitsunetsuki term literally means possessed by kitsune. Victims are usually young women who possessed kitsune from the fingernails or through the breasts. In some cases, the victim's face is said to change in such a way as to resemble a fox. According to tradition in Japan, if the Japanese people who are illiterate being possessed kitsune, that person could be literate for a while.
Lafcadio Hearn Expert folklore tells of events possessed by kitsune in the first volume of his book Glimpses of unfamiliar Japan:
Strange is the madness that possessed by the demon fox. Sometimes they run naked shouting in the streets. Sometimes they nap with foaming mouth and bark like a fox. And in parts of the body of the possessed, visible lumps moving under the skin seem to have a life of its own. When pierced with a needle, the lump immediately move to another place. Lumps can not be gripped, off when pressed with a strong hand and escaped from the fingers. People who are possessed by reportedly can speak and write a language they do not master before possessed. They only eat foods that are believed favored foxes, such as - know, aburaage, azukimeshi, and others. They also eat a lot and defensively that I was eating was not them, but the ghost of the fox.
Lafcadio Hearn added that people who have been freed from possessed by kitsune would no longer hooked to eat out aburaage, azukimeshi, or other foods that are favored fox.
Exorcise ceremony performed in temples Inari to persuade kitsune in order to come out from the body of the person being entered. In the old days, if gentle effort to persuade the fox did not work or no fluke pastor, kitsunetsuki victims were beaten or burned to a badly injured that kitsune come out. If there is a family member who is possessed by all members of the victim's family ostracized by society.
In Japan, possessed by kitsune (kitsunetsuki) has been considered as a disease since the Heian period and is a common diagnosis for mental illness symptoms until early in the 20th century. Possessed by used as an explanation of abnormal behavior of the patient. At the end of the 19th century, Dr. Shunichi Shimamura noted some of the symptoms of the disease caused fever is often regarded as kitsunetsuki.
In medical terms, possessed by kitsune is a symptom of mental illness that is typical in Japanese culture. Patients believed he was possessed by a fox. Kitsune possession phenomena of whom always want to eat rice or azuki beans, stunned, agitated, and avoiding the gaze of others. Kitsune possessed by a disease similar to but different from lycanthropy (werewolves).
Hoshi no all
Kitsune light emitting kitsune-bi had gathered near the city of Edo (painting ukiyo-e works of Hiroshige)
Depictions of kitsune and the victims often include white stuff called "football star" (hoshi no first) round or shaped like an onion. In the fairy tale, all covered with jewels hoshi no fire called kitsune-bi (fire fox). In the part of the story, all described as hoshi no pearls or jewels that have the power sihir.Ketika was not transformed into a human or possessed man, biting kitsune hoshi no first or bring in the tail. Gem is a symbol commonly found in Inari, and sacred Inari foxes very rarely depicted not have a gem.
Some believe, some powers are in kitsune gem "star ball" when kitsune changing shape. Another story describes the pearl as a symbol of life-kitsune. Kitsune will die if it is too long separated from the pearl. People who managed to take the ball kitsune, reportedly able to swap the ball with magical powers possessed kitsune. In the 12th century fairy tale, a man managed to take the ball kitsune and rewarded when returning it:
"You're damned!" Abused the fox. "Give me back my ball!"
But the man ignored requests kitsune, until kitsune said in tears, "Okay, you're allowed to take my ball, but the ball is going to be of no use for you, if you do not know how to use it. For me, football is everything. I warn you, if you do not want it back, you're going to be enemies forever. But if you want it back, I'll continue to be there with like a patron god. "
The lives of the men were later rescued the fox who helped fight the bandits.
waiter Inari
Taira no Kiyomori met with Inari. Painting ukiyo-e works of Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
In Shinto, kitsune are often associated with Inari. The relationship between Inari and the kitsune kitsune further strengthened its position in the world of the supernatural. Kitsune originally a messenger who served for the god Inari, but the dividing line between Inari and the kitsune increasingly blurred so that Inari is described as a fox. Inari Shinto shrine glorifies called Inari shrines, where people give offerings. Kitsune reportedly loves to eat fried tofu chunks aburaage. Kitsune aburaage usual meal laid on Japanese noodle dishes called Kitsune Kitsune Udon and Soba. A kind of sushi that is included in the bag of aburaage called Inari-zushi. Experts folklore often speculated about the existence of the trust fox the other, because the fox has always been revered as Us.
Kitsune in Inari shrines white is the color of a good sign. They are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits, and sometimes served as protector spirits. In addition to a guard at Inari shrines, kitsune are required in order to protect the local population of wild foxes ( "nogitsune) who likes to make mischief. Just like kitsune are white, black and kitsune kitsune nine tailed is also considered a good sign.
According to the trust that comes from feng shui, the fox has a tremendous strength against the devil, so the statue can supposedly repel kitsune hawa Kimon or energy flowing toward the northeast. Inari shrine Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto often has a collection of statues of kitsune aplenty.
Cheater
Kitsune sculpture in various sizes at Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Kitsune is often depicted as a trickster with varying motives, ranging from simply want to harm humans misbehave. Kitsune told enjoy manipulating the proud samurai, greedy merchants, and ordinary people who like to show off. Kitsune harsher supposedly likes mengerjai poor merchants, farmers, and a devout monk. Victims kitsune ordinary men, while women are possessed kitsune. Kitsune for example, is believed to use a fireball kitsune-bi while helping others kitsune tersesat.Taktik travelers who are trick the victim to the illusion and illusion. Kitsune deceive men with the intent to seduce, stealing food, to give a lesson to the arrogant, or revenge after injured.
Kitsune-ken traditional game is one of a kind game Rock-paper-scissors with three forms of the palm and fingers that symbolize fox, hunters, and the village chief. Hunter lost village chief, and vice versa hunters win over fox, but the fox can outwit chief.
Kitsune described rowdy plus a reputation for revenge. As a result, people are trying to uncover the hidden motives behind the actions fox. Toyotomi Hideyoshi wrote to Inari. In his letter, Hideyoshi reported mischief created one fox against the waiters, and requesting that the foxes were investigated and acted upon. If the incident is not addressed, Hideyoshi threatened to hunt down all the fox there.
Tamamo-no-Mae, kitsune are often shown in noh and kyogen. Painting ukiyo-e works Yoshitoshi.
Kitsune are known for keeping promises and strive to be able to return the favor. Kitsune sometimes makes trouble as told an origin story of the 12th century. Threats homeowners to destroy all flock fox fox managed to convince to change behavior. The family head herd fox is present in dreams homeowners to ask forgiveness from the owner of the house, at the same time promise to behave well and to return the favor by becoming the protector of the family.
Most kitsune use magic to benefit people who are considered friends or employer. As a class of yokai, he does not have manners like humans. Kitsune can steal money from a neighbor's house to be given to the employer, or the employer's own stolen money. In the past, homeowners who maintain kitsune always suspected neighbors.
In folklore often told of payment for goods or services performed kitsune. Kitsune can be deceiving vision people receiving payments from kitsune with magic. Gold, money, or gemstone received from kitsune actually only used paper, leaves, branches and twigs, stones, or similar objects. Gifts are really given kitsune to humans is usually in the form of objects that are intangible, such as protection, knowledge, and longevity.
Wife and lover
Kuzunoha who have a shadow of a fox. Popular character in kabuki (ukiyo-e painting work of Utagawa Kuniyoshi)
Kitsune is often described as a siren in stories involving male muda.Walaupun kitsune act as a siren, usually romantic story. In the story, men are often married to a beautiful woman who conceal that he is a fox. When the secret is revealed, his wife was forced to leave her husband. In some stories, the man who married demon fox like waking up from a dream, confusion, being away from home, and had to return to the home that he used to bring shame.
Some of the stories tells of demon fox who as wives gave birth to a human child. Children who are born have the physical ability and talent beyond the usual supernatural. This talent also relegated to children and grandchildren when human offspring back fox childbearing. A cosmologist (onmyōji) Japan named Abe no Seimei is said to have magic powers outstanding due to hereditary kitsune.
Kitsune are often told to marry a fellow kitsune. In Japanese, the downpour that had suddenly when the sky was sunny (summer rains) called kitsune no Yomeiri or "wedding kitsune". The term comes from a legend that tells of the weather conditions during the wedding ceremony kitsune. Kitsune wedding event is considered as a good omen, but the kitsune will be angry if an intruder is present.
fiction
Kitsune appear in various art and culture of Japan. Traditional Japanese theatrics such as noh, kyogen, bunraku, and kabuki often tells the legend of kitsune. Similarly, contemporary culture such as manga and video games. Fiction authors from the West also began writing the story that inspired the legend of kitsune. Depictions of kitsune by Westerners usually do not vary much with the original story kitsune.
Mother Abe no Seimei named kuzunoha a kitsune figure that is widely known in the art of traditional Japanese theater. Kuzunoha displayed in bunraku and kabuki stage play Ashiya Doman Ouchi Kagami (Glass in Ashiya Doman and Ouchi), which consists of five parts. Section 4, entitled kuzunoha or Change of Forest Shinoda often performed separately. It relates the discovery of a secret kuzunoha as demon fox and the current scene had to leave her husband and children.
Tamamo-no-Mae is a fictional character who became the theme noh drama titled Sesshoseki (Stone Death), and theatrical kabuki / kyogen entitled Tamamonomae (Witch Fox is Beautiful). Tamamo-no-Mae did much evil in India, China, and Japan, but the secret was revealed and killed. His spirit became Sesshoseki (stone death). Tamamo spirits-no-Mae was eventually freed monk named Gennō.
Genkurō is a known kitsune filial to parents. In the story titled bunraku and kabuki Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Trees Sakura), a lover Yoshitsune named Princess Shizuka has Tsuzumi (small drum) made of fox skin Genkurō parents. In disguise as Satō Tadanobu, Genkurō managed to save Princess Shizuka of Minamoto no Yoritomo. But the identity of Genkurō as the demon fox Tadanobu uncovered since the original Satō appear. Genkurō said parents audible sound whenever the drum Tsuzumi owned Shizuka beaten. Yoshitsune and Shizuka finally give the Tsuzumi to Genkurō. In return, Genkurō protection magic to Yoshitsune.