Obake , the ultimate transformers, point up the folly of our human security in the unchanging status of things, and obliterate our proud sense of understanding the structure of the world. Obake both reflect and remind us of the inherent mutability in the world around us. At the same time, the elements of the observable world that appear particularly prone to change naturally come to be thought of as obake . It may have been the difficulty of seeing a fox, or of keeping it in view for any period of time, which led to the notion that they undergo actual physical shift. Even today, it is common to see a little street-corner shelter with a ceramic fox image housed behind a grill, offerings carefully placed in front to ward off all dangerous eventualities.
Foxes have to be placated, for they are potentially disastrous to the livelihood of the farmer.
They are also constant and salutary reminders of the fox-like characteristics that lie at the root of human behavior as well. Tengu can assume various forms and can be kind protectors or cruel tricksters, carrying off small children, starting fires, and even inciting wars. Kappa are dangerous pranksters, known for dragging people into the water and then pulling their intestines out through their anuses. A female monster with an extremely flexible neck. By day they are indistinguishable from normal women, but after nightfall rokurokubi stretch their necks out to any length in search of prey.