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In Japanese folklore, are intelligent foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. While some folktales speak of employing this ability to trick others â€“ as foxes in folklore often do â€“ other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto or spirit, and serve as its messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a has â€“ they may have as many as nine â€“ the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make sacrifices to them as to a deity.

Conversely foxes were often seen as "witch animal", especially during the superstitious Edo period (1603–1867), and were thought of as goblins who could not be trusted (similar to some badgers and cats).

Folktales from China tell of fox spirits called ( ) that may have up to nine tails. These fox spirits were adopted to Japanese culture through merchants as ('nine-tailed fox') which is covered in more detail below). Many of the earliest surviving stories are recorded in the , an 11th-century Japanese collection of Japanese, Chinese, and Indian literary narratives.

Kitsune (Myth) has not been a contender in any CBUB matches.