Kitsune-Tsuki - 狐憑き - [Kitsune Posession]

Kitsune-tsuki (狐憑き) "Kitsune possession"

• About this yokai: Kitsune Tsuki was a very common type of yokai possession, the incredible polymorphic powers of a kitsune are vast indeed, usually when they posses someone its for long term/revenge. - A naughty young fox has possessed this poor festival goer, I wonder what she did... At her feet is a number of Kitsunes favourite snacks, such as kitsune udon & fried tofu! Itadakimasu!

• History: Until modern medicine was introduced—mental illness and insanity were usually blamed on kitsune tsuki. [note to self: come back and edit this with a fuller description later!!]

In slang "Kitsune gao" refers to people with narrow faces and high cheekbones (or an otherwise sneaky expression.) in contrast "Tanuki gao" can refer to a fat, cute, chubby face (or a person's facial expression of feigned ignorance)

My design was inspired by the transformed Yako Kitsune seen in old scrolls such as Hyakki Zukan (1737) - it also pairs nicely with my other Tsuki-related stickers.

See also: Tenko, Nogitsune, Kitsune masks, Yokai Zine 2.

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!