Interesting Facts About The Kitsune

Jor Ros returns this week with the release of Kitsune Mask (Kurayami Edition), inspired by Japanese fox masks, this striking mask adds a flair of mystique to your collection.

Different symbolisms surrounding the fox originated way back in history for many cultures, this mammal never ceases to fascinate, and continues to trot into the hearts of people young and old today. Let’s put a little focus on the symbolism of the fox in Japanese culture, here are some interesting facts about the mystifying kitsune!

Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox.

This might be an obvious one but do you know the etymology behind the word kitsune? While the full etymology is unknown and no general agreement has been reached, one rather interesting take suggests that it is so called because it is "always (tsune) yellow (ki)". An allusion to the warm colored fur of the fox.

There are 2 common classifications of the kitsune.

Just as there is good and bad in the world, there are 2 common classifications of kitsune - zenko and yako. The zenko (“good foxes”) are benevolent, celestial foxes associated with Inari; while the yako (“field foxes”) tend to be mischievous or even malicious.

The kitsune have many tails.

It is believed that the kitsune can have as many as nine tails; a greater number of tails indicates an older and more powerful kitsune. It is said that the kitsune only grows an additional tail after every 100 years. The nine-tailed kitsune gain the abilities to see and hear anything happening anywhere in the world, and some believe omniscience. 

After reaching 1,000 years of age and gaining its ninth tail, a kitsune turns a white or golden color, becoming a tenko (“celestial fox”), the most powerful form of the kitsune, and then ascends to the heavens.

The kitsune are shapeshifters.

The kitsune have the ability to shapeshift into human form. Common forms assumed by kitsune include beautiful women, young girls, elderly men, and less often young boys; these shapes are not limited by the fox's own age or gender. Common belief in medieval Japan was that any woman encountered alone, especially at dusk or night, could be a kitsune.

  

Fascinated by masks, Jor Ros implements them into his art whenever possible. Drawing inspiration from Japanese fox masks, Jor Ros adds his own spin to it with Kitsune Mask. Now back in a second colorway, featuring the iconic dark navy blue that features prominently throughout his works. Contrasted beautifully with orange accents and his signature "nope".

The dual-functional smoke mount acts as a base to hold the mask for display on a table-top or shelf, but is able to flip around to act as a wall mount for displaying on walls as well. You could also hold it over your face and take a selfie too. Expect lots of play and display options with this premium art collectible that will surely add a breath of mysterious air to your collection.

Kitsune Mask (Kurayami Edition) by Jor Ros drops on 7 May, 9 am ET.
Limited edition of 300 only. $199. Free shipping worldwide.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this exciting release by setting your reminders here.

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