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
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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
狐
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
尻
尾を出
す
-
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!