Kitsune

The fox, or kitsune, possesses supernatural abilities in Japanese folklore. Messengers and guardians for Inari, the Shinto deity of agriculture, the kitsune statues appear outside Inari temples. They often wear red scarves or bibs. These garments ward off evil. They also often carry items in their mouths, such as a key for the granary, a spiritual power jewel, a wisdom scroll or a sheaf of rice.

Here’s two Kitsune wearing red bibs. One holds a key, the other a ball. The ball is a magical orb called hoshi no tama, or star ball. The symbol gives blessings for a good harvest. The kitsune stores its life force within the ball and stories say that a person who steals the ball can force the kitsune to grant them one wish. Typically, the person wishes for wealth, but kitsune tricks them, as the coins turn into pebbles after the ball is returned. If not returned, the kitsune dies and the thief lives out their days with terrible luck.

A kitsune with a star ball in its mouth.

A kitsune holds a granary key in its mouth.