battles, manifesting their powers, magical shapeshifting ability. Japan is a rich country with a rich history. There are magical images of Kitsune in Japanese culture, sometimes with as many as 9 tails.These images are ubiquitous in Japan, but equally as popular are Kitsune masks.These masks can be purely celebratory, but they may also play an important part of religious practices and rituals.If you are at all familiar with Japanese pop culture, you’ve probably seen a Kitsune mask.They are commonly worn at festivals and can be slipped on both by those native to Japan and tourists who are looking to get into the spirit.A Kitsune mask can take many forms, but the term refers to any mask that resembles a fox.Typically a Kitsune mask will be white with red accents.These mask designs normally have cute whiskers and a mischievous upturned mouth.Kitsune masks have been depicted in many popular anime series including Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Texhnolyze.The wonderful thing about Kitsune mask tattoos is how they can mean so many things to so many people.They can be a pop culture reference, a religious expression, or even a fitting image to someone with a passion for Japanese theatre.Kitsune masks have historically been worn as part of a Noh or Kyogen production.A Noh production is a musical tale that tells classic Japanese stories from as far back as the 14th century.Kitsune mask tattoos are typically white with red or pink accents, as this is the most traditional look for the masks.Sometimes the mask itself is featured alone, or surrounded by accent imagery.Peonies are popular images in the tattoo world, and similar to Kitsune they symbolize wealth, good fortune and prosperity.A Kitsune mask tattoo may also feature a beautiful woman hiding behind a kitsune mask.This could symbolize a connection to festivals or to the Kitsune’s prankster nature and shape-shifting ability.Kitsune are thought to be tricksters and can be varying degrees of mischievous.The “good” Kitsune will stick to harmless pranks, but the “bad” Kitsune are more troublesome.While there is an image that you will see more often than not when looking for Kitsune mask tattoos, there are ways to make the image your own.For example, in Noh theatre productions there are different types of Kitsune masks with different meanings.A Hahakitsue, or mother fox, has a bronzed appearance with more of a fierce expression.The cheeky smile we’ve come to associate with Kitsune masks is most closely associated with Kogitsune, the child fox, or the water fox.There are many styles of Kitsune mask from the Japanese theatre tradition, choose one that resonates with you!You may also see Kitsune depicted in stone statues to guard religious temples.These statues will wear a red scarf around their neck- which may be a nice element for a Kitsune Mask tattoo.Red is the color of banishment in the Shinto religion- whether you’d like to banish evil or illness.The Kitsune statues will also sometimes have added features, all of which have a special meaning.You may see a Kitsune statue with a scroll symbolizing wisdom and messages from the divine.Fox cubs represent fertility, jewels are for prosperity, and glowing orbs are said to contain the Kitsune’s life force, or soul.With the right combination of color, expression, and accompanying imagery, your Kitsune mask tattoo can pay homage to tradition while standing out in the crowd, not to mention these special touches will give your Kitsune tattoo a more personal meaning.There is so much to learn about Kitsune, Kitsune masks, and their meaning within the Japanese culture.Do some reading and see how you feel about this mysterious and versatile figure.In the meantime, feel free to draw inspiration from our gallery of Kitsune tattoos!Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. And that is why willing people can buy the mask and attend the festival provided they follow the rules set for the festivals. shape. There are many times of year when this may happen.One of these festivals is the Oji Fox Parade for the new year when legend has it that Kitsune disguise themselves as humans and make a pilgrimage to the Inari shrine. (go to One of the most popular designs is that of a Kitsune mask.Kitsune mask tattoo designs can be worn by anyone who has a personal connection with Japanese culture, but it is an especially great choice for women seeking more feminine designs.While many of the figures in the Shinto tradition can have a bolder, more menacing look, Kistune is a versatile image with softer more feminine lines and colors.Let’s chat about Kitsune and how Kitsune mask tattoos became so popular!The whole world seems to have a fascination with these quick, cunning creatures with their striking colors and curious little faces.Many fairy tales feature a sly fox who is able to get his way through clever tricks, and even modern cartoons feature brazen fox characters.Think of the main character in Zootopia, for example.For whatever reason, people around the world have decided foxes have a special, sneaky appeal.In Japanese culture, however, the fixation with foxes runs deeper than cartoons and fairy tales.In ancient Japan, people lived and worked alongside foxes.It didn’t take them long to notice the special qualities these animals had, and start writing lore about their curious companions. Kitsune mask become a part of the Japanese pop culture in artistic forms like anime and manga. It can be adapted in to various styles and aesthetics without losing its roots.

This god is highly associated with agriculture, fertility, and protector of rice.