Tricksters - Ward Off Evil - Amplification - Protection
Nine- tailed foxes are said to be ordinary foxes that lived 50 to 100 years, and as their age grew, so did their number of tails. Also, they acquired magical powers that allowed them to turn into humans, usually young beautiful girls. The image of foxes in western culture portrays them as cunning tricksters, and this is not an exception for Asian culture. These foxes are a myth known around Asia, but the countries that they are the most popular in are China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, where they are known as Huli Jing, Kitsune, Kumiho, and Hồ tinh respectively.
The “Huli Jing” in China are said to be extremely wise, but they depend on humans to preserve their immortality; many stories in Chinese literature portray foxes that transform into beautiful girls to lure men, and suck their life essence through consummation until their partner died. This belief has also been cited in China and South East Asia as a cause for a condition called Koro, a culture bound syndrome. However, Huli Jing are also portrayed in many stories as fun-loving tricksters who keep their word and can be good and loyal companions.
“Kitsune” in Japan take more of a religious connotation. Although in older times they were also seen as foxes that would turn into girls and marry humans (it is important to note than Japanese foxes do not kill their partners, but are said to be very loyal and loving towards humans-something very different from most foxes in the rest of Asia.), with the introduction of Shinto religion into Japan, foxes came to be seen as the servants and messengers of Inari, the deity of rice. These are playful but pure white fox spirits who protect humans and ward off evil.
-
5 in Height, 2.4 inches Wide, 1 inch deep
6oz in weight
