Kitsune

**Kitsunes** are Japanese fox spirits.

## **Characteristics**

Kitsunes are believed to possess superior intelligence, long life, and magical powers. The word *kitsune* is often translated as *fox spirit*. However, this does not mean that Kitsunes are ghosts, nor that they are fundamentally different from regular foxes. Because the word *spirit* is used to reflect a state of knowledge or enlightenment, all long-lived foxes gain supernatural abilities. If a Kitsune marries a human, they will slowly consume their lifeforces while their victim is asleep.

## **Offshoots**

There exists six different kind of offshoots of Kitsune, with four sub-types of the Kiko offshoot. They are categorized if they are good or evil, by feeding off human souls and reaching a certain age they can be transformed into a different kind.

### Ashireiko

Ashireiko are the lowest and weakest offshoot of Kitsune. They are for the most part indistinguishable from normal foxes. It is held from infancy until the age of one hundred, most notably, they develop shapeshifting abilities. Ashireiko are a very vengeful and will often harm and kill humans who have wronged them in the past.

### Nogitsune

Nogitsunes are more malevolent offshoots of the Kitsune, they do not possess a soul and do not serve as messengers for any god. Nogitsune are notorious tricksters. One of their favorite activities is transforming into human form in order to trick foolish humans. They use their power to scare people, and often to steal things from them as well.

### Chiko

Most Chiko are between one hundred and five hundred years of age, as they grow in age and power, Chiko also begin to develop additional tails. In regards to their relationships with humans, Chiko are usually wicked, or uncaring. All Chiko are powerful; how they use this power depends on the individual.

### Kiko

Kiko serve the god Inari, and they are more benevolent. Kiko often take human form to help people. Some of them even fall in love with humans and live with them in disguise for many years (although these relationships often end in heartbreak once their true nature is discovered) Below are the four sub-types of Kiko;

* **Byakko -** White kiko
* **Kokuko** - Black kiko
* **Kinko** - Silver kiko
* **Ginko** - Gold kiko

### Kuko

Kuko take on a much more human-like appearance. They lose their tails entirely, although their ears still resemble a fox’s. Kuko are only the second most powerful offshoot of Kitsune. This is because after three thousand years they have reached a sort of retirement age where they are no longer working in the service of Inari.

### Tenko

Tenko are the most powerful type of all the Kitsune offshoots, possessing Demigod-like power. They are spiritual beings without physical bodies, so their actual appearance depends upon the form they decide to take. They often appear as beautiful women.

### Further Classifications

1. Tengoku (Light)
2. Kukan (Dark)
3. Kaze (Wind)
4. Seishin (Spirit)
5. Kasai (Fire)
6. Chikyu (Earth)
7. Kawa (Rivers)
8. Umi (Ocean/Sea)
9. Yama (Mountains)
10. Mori (Forests)
11. Sanda (Thunder)
12. Jikan (Time)
13. Ongaku (Sound)

## **Similar Creatures**

Similar creatures include:

* **Gumiho** (North Korea, South Korea)
* **Bulyeowoo** (North Korea, South Korea)
* **Hulijing** (China)
* **Ho-ly-tinh** (Vietnam)
* **Aguara** (Paraguay)
* **Reynardine** (France)

## **Powers and Abilities**

* **Super Strength**- Kitsunes appear to be stronger than humans. They can knock down and overpower humans with little difficulty. Like Vampires, their strength increases with age.
* **Super Speed** - Kitsunes possess supernatural speed that is described as fox-like. Along with their speed, they use their strength to catch their prey or enemies off guard and kill them expediently.
* **Super Agility** - They are very agile creatures, and possess fox-like agility, which is greater than that of humans.
* **Super Senses** - Being fox spirits, they possess an enhanced sense of sight, smell, and hearing.
* **Immortality** - Kitsunes are immortal beings, and can live forever, they become more powerful with every century they live.
* **Minimal Invulnerability** - They can only die by being stabbed in the heart with a knife.
* **Shapeshifting** - Kitsunes are able to shapeshift into human form, to seduce human men, and sometimes to lure them out to consume their souls.

## **Weaknesses**

* **Heart Destruction** - A Kitsune can be killed by being stabbed in the heart with a knife or dagger.