Kitsune (狐) means “fox” in Japanese
The word kitsune means “fox” in Japanese. This is a common Japanese word for a fox, but it also means other things:
- Foxes are sometimes known as kitsune (狐).
- People who are silly or cunning are like the fox. For example, the character Shiba from Ouran High School Host Club is called “kitsune.”
Kitsune can also be used to describe something silly or cunning: If you want someone to do something sneaky and underhanded, you might say they’re acting like a kitsune!
Different Types Of Kitsune Masks Are Used For The Following Purposes
In Japanese, kitsune (狐) is a fox creature that has been revered for centuries. The word “kitsune” can be translated as “fox,” but it’s often used as a noun for the creature itself and its powers.
The kitsune mask is used for many purposes: from Halloween costumes to parties and holidays. Some people use them to represent their personality traits while others just want one because they think it looks cool!
Six-tails (rokujūko)
The six-tailed kitsune is more powerful than one tail kitsune. It is a symbol of strength and prosperity, but also one that can be used to represent danger. The six-tailed fox has long been associated with good luck and wealth in Japan, so it’s no surprise that many people choose this mask for their business mascot or personal logo!
Nine-tails (kyūjūko)
The nine-tails is the most powerful of all the kitsune masks. It’s believed to have the power to ward off evil and protect its wearer from harm, even death itself.
The Dance of the Foxes is a performance that takes place during Obon, which is a celebration of ancestors and spirits in Japan. In this dance, people dress up as foxes and perform traditional dances such as Kitsune-ga-Hana (a folk song) or Komorebi (a type of Japanese poetry). The nine-tails mask represents one of these characters: Kuma Otoko (Fox Man).
Youko-kitsune (妖狐)
Youko-kitsune is a fox that has magical powers and can change shape and talk. This type of fox is also able to transform into human form and create illusions. They may be used as messengers or animal companions, but if you see one in your dreams or nightmares it is probably because you need help with something important on the other side of the world.
Myobu-kitsune (妙部狐)
Myobu-kitsune is the most powerful of all kitsune. They can transform into humans, and they can shapeshift into any kind of animal or object. Myobu-kitsunes often wear a mask with a fox face on it, but there are other types of fox masks worn by them as well:
- The tanuki (狸) is a common Japanese folk tale about a raccoon that has its tail cut off so it can’t run away from its enemies; this leads directly into another type of kitsune mask called Shirogane-kitsune (白金狐).
- Other than these two types, there are also other types such as Sato no Hana (茶の椿), which means “Tea Leaf”. These kinds of masks were used during festivals in ancient Japan when people would dress up as various animals or objects for fun.
Tanuki-kitsune (狸狐)
A Tanuki-kitsune is a mask that features a raccoon dog, which is known for its shape-shifting abilities. This mask is often thought to bring good luck and bring about good fortune, especially when you are in a difficult situation. It’s also associated with kitsune masks because they think it looks like one!
In folklore, Tanuki is depicted as a trickster who can change into any form at will. They’re also said to be shapeshifters who love playing tricks on humans by transforming themselves into animals or objects (like an old lady). People have feared these creatures since ancient times because they were believed to cause bad luck if encountered on your path—but their powers have been revered through many generations of Japanese culture
Inari-kitsune (稲荷狐)
Inari-kitsune (稲荷狐) is a fox who lives in the Inari shrines and helps the god of rice. They are said to have a red face and white body, with a large mouth and big ears. Their hair is usually long or short depending on how you want it to look.
Inari-kitsune is also known for being good fortune bringers who grant wishes by giving away food at their shrines during festivals or celebrations like New Year’s Eve parties!
Kitsune-menko (狐面子)
Kitsune-menko (狐面子) is a fox mask made of wood and paper. It is used in the Dance of the Foxes (狐狸舞), which is performed at festivals, weddings, and other events. In this dance, men play drums while women sing songs about their love for foxes.
The costume worn by a kitsune-menko performer looks like that of an old woman with a long white beard, wearing red robes decorated with gold thread around the neckline and sleeves. The costume also includes large sleeves with fur trimming along each side seam as well as hooded cowls attached to these sleeves so they can be pulled up or down depending on whether you want more or less coverage when doing your performances!
Kitsune (狐火)
The Kitsune festival is held on the night of the first full moon in the lunar calendar, which falls during July or August. It’s a fire festival that honors Inari, the kami of fertility and rice. The Izumo area has a long history with foxes; according to legend, they are messengers from Inari to farmers who pray for rain during droughts by offering them sake (rice wine).
Kitsune mask guide tells that it features an annual parade through town where participants wear masks representing various kitsune species or depictions of them as humans (you can find more information about these at [this link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UaazxlBy90&t=1s)).
Kappa-kitsune (河童狐)
Kappa-kitsunes are a type of kitsune, but they’re different from most other kitsunes. The kappa is often portrayed as a water imp with a turtle shell and long whiskers, who lives in rivers or lakes and eats human flesh.
The kappa’s appetite for human flesh has made it one of Japan’s most popular creatures in folklore and mythology. The reason behind its popularity is that the creature can be dangerous; if you anger a kappa enough times, it may eat you!
Shishimai Kitsune Mask
The Shishimai is a traditional Japanese dance performed by children during the Setsubun festival. The masks are made of wood, paper, and straw. They are called kitsune-menko, or fox masks.
Shishimai means “Japanese lion dance” in Japanese and it refers to a type of folk dance that originated from the folklore surrounding kitsune (foxes).
Dance of the Foxes
Kitsune, or the Dance of the Foxes, is a fire festival held on the last Saturday of August. It is celebrated in many places in Japan and it lasts for three days. During this time, people gather to dance around bonfires and burn paper effigies that represent evil spirits.
The masks worn during this event are based on those used by kitsunebi dancers to scare away these evil spirits. The most popular type of mask here is called kitsunebi boshi (fox head), which has long ears and wide eyes with heavy black eyelashes that look like they’re weeping tears onto your face as you dance around a bonfire with other people like yourself!
The kitsune mask is a popular symbol in Japanese masks culture and has been used since ancient times for many different purposes. The masks can be made from paper, wood, or other materials, and are often decorated with feathers or fur. They are also used in plays where actors wear them as part of their costumes during performances to help create an immersive atmosphere for audiences. When you’re looking for a fun Halloween costume idea this year, consider picking up one of these Japanese feline-inspired masks!