Mythic Bestiary

Log 19: Kitsune

Summary: Kitsune, literally meaning fox, is a fox spirit or demon depending on who you ask. This Yōkai is something of an enigma, sometimes represented as a helpful creature, other times represented as a conniving trickster, one Kitsune going so far as to attempt to steal the throne of Japan for themselves.

Birth: The Kitsune shares a similar birth to most animal based Yōkai. When a fox reaches one hundred years of age, the fox officially becomes a Yōkai. As each century passes, the fox spirit gains a new tail. If the spirit can live to be one thousand years old, the Kitsune becomes a Kyuubi. A Kyuubi is sort of like a next level Kitsune, gaining many more powers along with a snazzy new pale golden pelt of shiny fur. Kyuubi are said to have omnipotence, and are extremely powerful.

Legends: There are innumerable legends about Kitsune, the Yōkai being one of Japan's most famous and recognizable creatures. To pick just one is a bit hard, but to make things easier I will pick the most famous Kitsune in Japan, a Kyuubi by the name of Tamamo no Mae. She is so famous in fact, that she is known as one of the Three Terrible Yōkai of Japan, or Nihon San Dai Yōkai. Joining her in that category are Shuten dōji, a great and terrifying Oni, and Sutoku Tennō, one of the most powerful ghosts in Japanese folklore. (Tennō is sometimes replaced with another Oni by the name of Ōtakemaru.)

Tamamo no Mae was by all accounts a very scummy person. There are tales of her trying to conquer many kingdoms throughout her life, and ruining many other lives in the process. A sadistic woman, she craved power and constantly sought to corrupt those already in power. After about her fourth time out of hiding, she transformed herself into a human baby, and was adopted by a couple. After growing up, she made herself out to be a child prodigy, one so amazing that many people flocked to see her, including the Mikado, or the Emperor, of Japan. Once she was older, she became consort to him after she performed a miracle during a great feast of his, seemingly making light from nothing when a sudden storm hit. But, her good luck was not to last.

The court officials looked at each other in worry as another doctor was sent away from the emperor's quarters. One shook his head, sighing.

"Ever since the party..." He began, hanging his head in sadness, "Our poor emperor...What do you think happened to him?"

The other man shrugged, just as clueless. "I don't know, but this illness is strange...I hear they're sending in the Court Magician in to check on him. Just in case the illness is..." The official trailed off as another man walked into the hall, seemingly summoned by their words. His shining robes and mysterious air could surely only mean one thing...The Court Magician. Guards silently let the mage into the Emperor's apartment, the Magician looking solemn.

When he made his way into the room, he was greeted with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen sitting near the sick Emperor, tears streaming down her pale face as she looked up at the magician. His heart did not speed up when he saw her, all he knew when he looked at her was disgust. But he conducted himself reasonably, sitting down in front of the sick monarch.

"My Emperor..." He began, staring at the ground as he bowed, "I know what ails you." The Emperor groaned at those words, happiness seeping its way into his heart after a week of not knowing.

"Please...!" The Jewel Maiden, Tamamo no Mae, pleaded, "Please tell us what it is!" The Magician sat up, his hands clenched into fists as he scowled.

"You." He muttered. The woman tilted her head, feigning confusion. "I don't understand..."

The Magician laughed in her face, amazed she was keeping up her act even now.

"I am no imposter mage. I know very well that you are just a fox taking the shape of a woman! I can see it on your face and in the way you conduct yourself. You are a beast!" He pointed at her, the Emperor looking up at her with a pained expression. He reached his hand out to the woman as she stood, nine tails quickly appearing from her backside. The Emperor could only gasp.

"No...No, Please...My Lady...I loved you..."

His pained words fell on deaf ears as the woman disappeared, a fox now scampering out of the apartment. As she left, his fever began to cool.

Weaknesses: There are multiple weaknesses to Kitsune I have heard over my life. Once such weakness is having their tails cut, as that removes their power. Another weakness that was said to make a Kitsune drop its human form or human host would be to bring a dog near it. Kitsune were said to be deathly afraid of dogs, and immediately changed back to their true forms to run from them.

Author's Note: If you have a monster you want listed in the Bestiary, feel free to request one!