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How Fox Folklore and Mythology Influence Japanese People’ How Fox Folklore and Mythology Influence Japanese People’

How Fox Folklore and Mythology Influence Japanese People’ - PowerPoint Presentation

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How Fox Folklore and Mythology Influence Japanese People’ - PPT Presentation

Aleia Ando California State University Monterey Bay Japanese Language and Culture Spring 2013 Advisors Dr Yoshiko SaitoAbbott amp Dr Shigeko Sekine Presentation Overview Significance of the study ID: 593069

foxes fox japanese inari fox foxes inari japanese people shrines folklore stories god smyers retrieved 1999 http possession participants

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Slide1

How Fox Folklore and Mythology Influence Japanese People’s Beliefs

Aleia AndoCalifornia State University Monterey Bay: Japanese Language and CultureSpring 2013Advisors:Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott & Dr. Shigeko SekineSlide2

Presentation Overview

Significance of the studyResearch QuestionsResearch BackgroundResearch MethodSurvey Results

Findings

Conclusion

References AcknowledgementsSlide3

Significance of the Study

Saw many Inari shrines while studying abroad in Japan

Interested in the fox statues found at Inari shrines

Interested

in how Japanese people view foxes as spiritual figures

Interest in foxes in relation to Japanese folklore

Learn

more about Japanese folklore

Interested in

how/where

fox stories originated and

to what degree do people

believe them

today

.

Investigate

the significance of foxes/fox spirits in Japanese

culture

How

Japanese people incorporate ideals relating to foxes in their daily

livesSlide4

Research Questions

How is fox folklore reflected in Japanese people’s beliefs, spirituality and lifestyle?How do the ways Japanese people were raised reflect their beliefs in regards to

fox folklore?Slide5

Research Background

Perceptions of foxes The fox as a living animalPerceptions of foxes in Japanese and Western Cultures

Foxes

in

Japanese folkloreContemporary views of foxes (manga, anime)2. Foxes and Spiritual Power

History of Inari

Shinto

Buddhist

Connection to

foxes

General perceptions of InariSlide6

Perception of FoxesSlide7

Fox as a living Animal

Member of the dog family (Canidae)About 10 true types of foxes in the genus “vulpes.”Adaptable (able to live in woods & urban areas)

Found on most continents, in some cases introduced by humans

Diet: Small animals (mice, rabbits, birds), eggs, carrion, grains, garbage and pet food etc.

The red Fox (also known as the “common” fox) is the subject of many

folktales

Many cultures around the world have fox folktales

(

Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013)Slide8

Perception of Foxes in Japanese and Western Cultures

Japanese CuteScarySmart/cleverLucky

Possessing Spiritual Power

Foxes can be a good sign or a bad omen

(Smyers, 1999),(Tyler, 1987)Western

Hunting game, for sport and pelts

Cunning/sly

Intelligent/witty

Pests – known to carry rabies

Reynard the Fox:

Cunning,

crafty , self-seeking, cowardly, hero

Fox = symbol of intellect outwitting brute strength(Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013)Foxes in these cultures are perceived as…Slide9

Expressions/Proverbs Relating to Foxes

Japanese Expressions 狐につままれる - to be bewitched/fooled by a fox

びよ

り/狐の嫁入り– Fox’s wedding, A sunny rain shower, rain on a sunny day狐目

– foxlike eyes, slanted/up-turned eyes

尾を出

-

To show one's true colors, to expose one's faults, To give oneself away.

Western ExpressionsSly as a fox

Foxy woman

Charismatic trickster, trouble maker

" Like a fox guarding the henhouse"

Western expressions relating to foxes generally concern personality characteristics.

Japanese expressions relating to foxes are more diverse. They relate to actions, physical characteristics as well as general circumstances/happenings.Slide10

Foxes in Japanese Folklore: Duel Power

Foxes in Japanese folklore have more than one image. The main two roles are: Divine Messenger: Messenger of the Shinto god InariCan bring luck and prosperity to householdCan protect/guide humans (away) from harm

Mischievous Trickster:

Trick humans – create illusions

Transform into human shapeFemales often seduce menFox possession These roles are ambiguous –

Foxes are not always good or evil. They are a mix of both

.

(Tyler, 1987)Slide11

First Fox Story(Human Transformation)

First story in 822Nihon Ryooiki– fox wife storyA man falls in love with a beautiful woman

Get married

H

ave a sonWife is actually a fox disguised as a woman

P

et dog constantly growls at the wife because she’s a fox

One day the wife tries to escape the dog and turns into a fox

H

usband sees

H

usband still loves his wife and tells her to come home and sleep with him every night

(Liu, 2005)Slide12

Fox Story(Gon Gitsune)

Fox named, “Gon” lives by, and often causes problems in a villageGon often causes trouble for the same manOne day Gon steals an eel that the man caught his wife to cure her illnessWife diesGon realizes her death was his faultGon tries to repay the villager by bringing presentsOne day the villager sees Gon going to his house

Villager shoots Gon because he thinks Gon is causing trouble

Villager realizes that Gon was trying to help

Villager feels guilty for killing GonSlide13

Japanese Foxes’ Mystical Powers 1

TransformationTransformation into a human: Often assume the form of beautiful young women to seduce men - also happens in Chinese folklore - Sometimes takes the form of an old man, or business menTransformation into an

o

bject:

For various reasons foxes have transformed into trains, cars, trees, kettles etc. (Smyers, 1999)

Fox fire:

Able to produce fire with its tail – Believed to be the cause of forest and house fires

(Blust, 1999)

Appear in dreams

Appear in dreams to communicate with humans

Cannot speak in human tongue outside of dreams

(Tyler,

1987

)Slide14

Japanese Foxes’ Mystical Powers 2

Fox Possession (Kitsune tsuki)An illness caused by a fox spirit entering the bodyMore common in womenSymptoms consist of:

“Deviant behavior (night terrors, dizziness, jumping into rivers, making piles of stones, eating gravel, chewing hair, wandering, etc.”

Also, “communication with fox entities not perceptible to others,” is another sign of fox possession.

(Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, 2004)

Treatment

- Treated by having an exorcism performed at an Inari shrine

- The exorcism is to expel the fox spirit from the body

(Smyers, 1999)Slide15

Fox Possession (Kitsune Tsuki)Slide16

Foxes and Religious Figures

Even though foxes are tricksters they have a close relationship to specific Japanese gods/deities Inari is the Shinto god closely connected to foxesDakiniten is the Buddhist god connected with foxes(Smyers, 1999)Slide17

Foxes’ Connection to Inari

Foxes have the strongest connection to Inari.“…A Shinto kami that is (or is connected with) a fox.” (Smyers, 1999) Priests/monks often discourage the idea that Inari is a fox White foxes = Messengers of InariDakiniten rides a fox’s backEarliest documents do not connect Inari and foxes.

(Smyers, 1999

)Slide18

Inari ShrinesSlide19

Inari Shrines

11 main centers of Inari worship in JapanAomori – Takayama InariMiyagi – Takeoma InariIbaraki – Kasama InariTokyo – Toyokawa Inari (Tokyo), Anamori Inari, Oji Inari

Aichi – Toyokawa Inari (Myogonji

Kyoto – Fushimi Inari

Osaka – Tamatsukuri Inari, Hyotan Yama

Inari

Okayama – Saijo Inari

Shimane – Taikodani Inari

Saga – Yutoku Inari

Kumamoto – Takahashi Inari

About 1/3 of the Shinto shrines in Japan are Inari shrines

(Smyers. 1999)Slide20

General Perceptions of Inari

ShintoPositive imageProtects humans

No set form (man, woman, fox)

Sometimes portrayed as a man in court robes while riding a fox. Also holds a key

(Ashkenazi, 2003)

Buddhism

Often worshiped in temples as a protector

Known

in Buddhism as

Dakiniten

Form – Bodhisattva carrying rice while riding a white fox

(Smyers, 1999)Slide21

Inari – Commonly Known as the Fox God 1

Worshiped since at least 711AD maybe since the late 5th centuryOriginally believed to be a rice deity

“Inari”

possibly derived from “ine” meaning rice

Shinto god of agriculture, rice, fertility, warriors, blacksmiths and worldly successForm is ambiguous – man, woman, both, neither, or a foxWorshipers

often

believe Inari is a fox

Inari beliefs spread during the Heian period starting in Kyoto

Over time reasons for worshiping Inari increased

Originally a rice god, then expanded to fishing god, warrior god, god of luck or prosperity

(Smyers, 1999)Slide22

Inari – Commonly Known as the Fox God 2

In 1873 the Japanese government officially ordered a separation of the Shinto and Buddhist religions.Inari shrines can be found in urban areas because of Inari’s reputation for prosperity.In both Shinto and Buddhism the

fox

Inari

rides on is said to possess a wish fulfilling jewel and a sheaf of rice.(Ashkenazi, 2003)Slide23

Foxes in Contemporary Entertainment (Anime/Manga) 1

“Depicted as intelligent beings possessing magical powers. Kitsune are a type of youkai, demon or spirit in English.” Kuugen - fox deity change from male to female. This parallels beliefs of Inari’s ambiguous form.

I

mprisoned due to her behavior - mischievous

Yoko Kurama -fox demon thief white fox - like the messengers of Inaricunning, villainous, powerful (

Matteas, 2009

)Slide24

Foxes in Contemporary Entertainment (Anime/Manga) 2

The kyuubi - 9-tailed fox popular due to the anime, “Naruto.” demon that possesses fearsome power main character. uses kyuubi’s power

Kyuubi is evil, but the protagonist uses its power for goodSlide25

Research Method

Subjects:60 Japanese participantsDemographics: Gender: 28 females, 32 males

Research

tools

:

Survey via Google Docs

(promoted via Facebook/email)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PnW7kbNwEHFktAkNgHL4qteFkGSPIpaDzvfhXQZKEkY/viewform

Age

Number

of Participants

17-19:

5

20-29:

32

30-39:

4

40-49:

11

50 + :

8

Total

60Slide26

Survey Results: Research Question 1

How does fox folklore reflect Japanese people’s beliefs, spirituality and lifestyle?Slide27

Which Adjectives Best Describe FoxesSlide28

Which Adjectives Best Describe Foxes

Main adjectives:

mischievous, cunning/sly, and smart Slide29

Foxes’ Connection to the Following

Most people associate foxes with folktales

Closely associated with ShintoismSlide30

Foxes’ Connection to the Following ConceptsSlide31

Foxes’ Connection to the Following Concepts

Inari, possession and curses are closely related to FoxesSlide32

Fox Possession

The number of people for each category is about even.

Most people believe that fox possession existsSlide33

Survey Participants and Fox Stories

Majority know of fox stories

Like fox stories

Many also have no opinion/don’t careSlide34

Survey Participants’ Opinions on Fox Stories

LikePersonal connection (i.e. Visit Inari shrines, had an Inari shrine in his/her hometown)Like foxes – think they’re cute, cool, interesting etc.

Dislike

Don’t like fox’s bad reputation

Don’t care for

folktales

Don’t know much about

folktalesSlide35

Where Participants Learned About Fox Stories

Learned fox stories mainly from school, family and booksSlide36

Which Fox Stories Participants Want to Teach to Their Children

#1 Gongitsune#2 Kitsune no YomeiriSlide37

Participants’ Views on Teaching Fox Stories to Their Children

Would TeachPersonal connection (i.e. visit Inari shrines, view fox as a protector)

Enjoy fox stories

Think foxes are cool, cute and/or interesting

Think foxes have cool powersFox stories teach positive life lessons (i.e. don’t judge only on appearance)

Would Not Teach

Don’t like fox’s bad reputation (i.e. scary, tricksters, monster)

Don’t like folktales

Don’t know any folktalesSlide38

Perceptions of Foxes Compared With Other Mythical Animals

Foxes are considered most intelligent

Foxes also most likely to possess mystical powersSlide39

Participants’ Reactions to the Following Statements Continued

Foxes are considered the luckiest

None are particularly bad, but foxes seem to be the worstSlide40

Participants’ Reactions to the Following Statements Continued

Animals, in general, are not considered very honest

Foxes are the second, most honest out of the animals selectedSlide41

Research Question 1 Findings Summary 1

Japanese people have diverse feelings on foxesBoth like and dislike foxesRecognize both the good and bad reputation (trickster vs. divine

messenger)

Compared to

other spiritual animals, foxes generally score high in intelligence as well as being sly/cunning Foxes are believed to bring luck

People

believe fox possession exists

Japanese

people

who read

fox stories want to

teach them to their children to pass on morals

Japanese tend to believe foxes have a cute image The most popular stories to teach to children are Gongitsune and Kitsune no YomeiriSlide42

Research Question 2

How do the ways Japanese people were raised reflect their beliefs in regards to fox folklore?Slide43

Religion

Individual’s Religion tends to differ from household religions. A little less than 60% claim their household is Buddhist, close to the same amount of people claim to have no religion.Slide44

Spiritual Items in Survey Participants’ Homes

Buddhist alters are the most common

Most people do not have any Inari in their homesSlide45

Participants’ Awareness of and Beliefs in Inari

Most people have Inari shrines close to their homes, however they either visit rarely or not at all.Slide46

The Relationship Between Foxes and Inari

YES!

Believe Inari is a fox god

Foxes are Inari’s messengers

In Japanese folklore, foxes are Inari’s messengers

In Japanese folklore Inari is not supposed to be a fox godSlide47

Participant's Probability of Stopping at Shrines 1

Most people are more likely to stop at regular shrines.

Most people are unlikely to stop at Inari shrinesSlide48

Participant's Probability of Stopping at Shrines 2

VisitFor holidaysJapanese custom

Want to pray for good luck/for a wish to be

fulfilled

Do Not Visit

Not enough time

Do not believe in Shintoism/Inari

Not interested in Inari

Do not have a connection to InariSlide49

Participants believe Inari can bring prosperity in:

Many people believe in Inari’s power to bring prosperity in many situations.

Business seems to be

a

ffected most by Inari.

Business#1Slide50

Research Question 2 Findings Summary 1

Most participants believe their household follows Buddhism; however, individuals claim not to follow any religionMost people are aware of Inari shrines in their communities, but they almost never/never visit.Japanese people believe that Inari brings prosperity in many forms. Most common form is business

.Slide51

Conclusion

Japanese people’s image of foxes:Compared to other spiritual animals, foxes generally score high in intelligence as well as being sly/cunning Foxes are believed to bring

luck

1/3 of the survey participants believe in fox possession

Japanese people who read fox stories want to teach them to their children to pass on morals Japanese tend to believe foxes have a cute image

The most popular stories to teach to children are

Gongitsune

and

Kitsune

no

Yomeiri

Most people know of Inari shrines in their areas, but do not often visit themPeople most commonly pray to I

nari for business prosperity Slide52

Discussion

Surprised to find out about the deep connections foxes have with Japanese lifestylesSurprised to find that 1/3 of the survey participants believe that foxes have mystical powersFound it interesting that 1/3 of the survey participants know of Inari shrines close to their homes, but most people do not visit them

Future

Studies

Expand the study to other mystical animals’ influence on Japanese people’s livesWant to conduct interviews in addition to surveysSlide53

Literature References

Ambros, B. Vengeful spirits or loving spiritual companions? Changing views of animal spirits in contemporary japan. Asian Ethnology, volume 69, 35-67. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27821481 Ashkenazi, M. (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO.

Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology : Health and Illness in the World's Cultures

. (2004). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers

.ESC. (2000, 11 30). Re: Fox guarding the henhouse. Retrieved from http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/6/messages/1029.htmlfox. (2013). In 

Encyclopædia Britannica

. Retrieved from 

http://

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/215342/fox

 

foxhunting. (2013). In 

Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/215405/foxhuntingGoff, J. (1997). Foxes in japanese culture: beautiful or beastly?. Japan Quarterly. Retrieved from

https://eee.uci.edu/clients/sbklein/GHOSTS/articles/goff-foxes.pdfGoff, J.E. (2007). The fox's craft in japanese religion and folklore:shapeshifters, transformations and duplicities. Monumenta Nipponica, volume 62, 243-245. Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/mni/summary/v062/62.2goff.htmlHeine, S. (2000). Shifting shape, shaping text: philosophy and folklore in fox koan. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press.

Kitsune the japanese fox. Retrieved from

http://academia.issendai.com/fox-japanese.shtml

Slide54

References Continued

Liu, K. (2005), Fox and humankind folk tales. Retrieved from http://repository.aitech.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/11133/2061/1/%E7%B4%80%E8%A6%8140%E5%8F%B7A%28P75-78%29.pdfNozaki, K. (1961). Kitsune: japan's fox of mystery, romance and humor. Hokuseido Press.Red fox. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/red-fox

/

Reynard The Fox. (2013). In 

Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/500778/Reynard-the-FoxSmyers, K. A. (1996). My own inari. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies (volume 23). Retrieved from http://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/2588

Smyers, K. A. (1999). The fox and the jewel: shared and private meanings in contemporary japanese inari worship. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press.

Tyler, R. (1987). Japanese tales. New York, NY: Pantheon Books.

Vegder, J. (2003, 01 24). 

Japanese prints a million questions two million mysteries

. Retrieved from http://www.printsofjapan.com/Index_Glossary_Kesa_thru_Kodansha.htmSlide55

Acknowledgements

Dr. Yoshiko Saito-AbbotDr. Shigeko SekineGus LeonardWLC FacultyMy Family and Friends

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies Friends

The Onodera Family

Everyone who participated in my researchSlide56

Thank you for listening!