Kitsune in popular culture

December 4, 2008 — popularsymbolism
Statue of a kitsune.

Statue of a kitsune.

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Table of contents

  • Videogames

    • Videogames


    Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

    Kitsune/Keaton mask

    fox masks) are very common in Japan (right). Kitsune/foxes are associated with Inari (Shinto Kami spirits), and act as their messengers. Shigeru Miyamoto, being a Shintoist, decided on paying tribute to the mystical role of the creatures by including a kitsune mask (a 'Keaton mask' in the game) in the game for Link to buy. (left)

    Kitsune masks (literal translation: fox masks) are very common in Japan (right). Kitsune/foxes are associated with Inari (Shinto Kami spirits), and act as their messengers. Shigeru Miyamoto, being a Shintoist, decided on paying tribute to the mystical role of the creatures by including a kitsune mask (a 'Keaton mask' in the game) in the game for Link to buy. (left)


    Sonic The Hedgehog (series)

    Miles Tails Prower – character

    Tails (left) is said to be modelled on a kitsune fox (right) - he has two tails and sports the same colors.

    Tails (left) is said to be modelled on a kitsune fox (right) - he has two tails and sports the same colors.


    Star Fox (series)

    Fox McCloud

    The Inari statue at the gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine (right) inspired Shigeru Miyamoto to design the kitsune character, Fox McCloud (left), and cast him as the lead character in what would later be called 'Star Fox'*.

    The Inari statue at the gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine (right) inspired Shigeru Miyamoto to design the kitsune character, Fox McCloud (left), and cast him as the lead character in what would later be called 'Star Fox'*.

    * – The 1993 documentary ‘Serious Fun’ from Channel 4 features Shigeru Miyamoto talking about the origins of Mario and Fox McCloud, and reveals that he drew the inspiration for the latter from the fox god, Inari’s messenger. In fitting with the character depicted in the game, the fox can fly.

    Serious Fun – Channel 4 – Shigeru Miyamoto talking about the origins of Mario and Fox McCloud (watch from 1:13 onwards)

    Another important detail: note how previous to Miyamoto entering the gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine, he has to walk through several Torii gates. “So I had the idea of making a fox that could fly through arches.” The arches are meant to symbolize Torii gates. According to Shinto lore, when you pass through a Torii, you enter into another dimension – the Torii is there to mark the transition between the sacred place (the shrine) and the profane (the normal world). Another interesting detail: most of the Arwing powerups are obtained through arches.


    Tekken (series)

    Kunimitsu – character

    Yoshimitsu's sword is said to be so powerful, that it can destroy his opponents both mentally as well as physically. Kunimitsu, a former accomplice of Yoshimitsu, sets out to steal his sword so her grandfather can forge a copy of it. Known as the Cat Devil, her kitsune mask sets her apart from the rest of the warriors.

    Yoshimitsu's sword is said to be so powerful, that it can destroy his opponents both mentally as well as physically. Kunimitsu, a former accomplice of Yoshimitsu, sets out to steal his sword so her grandfather can forge a copy of it. Known as the Cat Devil, her kitsune mask sets her apart from the rest of the warriors.

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