There are three types (perhaps more) of kitsune in Japanese myths and folklores.
1. Kitsune
In old days people would believe that kitsune (fox) and tanuki (Japanese raccoon) had a supernatural power and they would trick and confuse people. They can turn into anything. Especially, they are good at taking human form. When they do it they wear a leaf on the head.
2. O-Inari-san
Foxes in Inari Shrines are messengers from one of Shinto gods, Ukanomitama. They are usually white and sometimes hold a key, ear of rice, treasure ball or scroll in their mouth.
狐 Kitsune holding a key at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto
狐 Kitsune holding an ear of rice at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
They can transform into anything but don’t trick people.
The god of Inari helping swordsmith Munechika making a treasure sword Drawn by Ryugen
3. Kyubi no Kitsune (Nine tailed fox)
In Japanese folklore, foxes are mystical animals, and the oldest, wisest, and most powerful fox has nine tails.
The nine tailed fox is an evil monster (some people believe it’s one of the gods though). It has been trying to destroy the world by tempting and manipulating emperors. It can turn into a beauty and had turned into Dakki in ancient China, Lady Kayo in ancient India and Lady Tamamo in Japan. They say it was slain by Kazusa-no-suke Hirotsune in the early 12th century.
妲己と紂王 Dakki and Emperor Chu in the 11th Century B.C in China
華陽夫人 Lady Kayo in the 3rd Century B.C in India Painted by Yoshitoshi
本性を現し飛び去る華陽夫人 Lady Kayo, actually its true nature is nine-tailed-fox, flew away Painted by Kuniyoshi
The Nine Tailed Fox in Japan
The nine tailed fox reached to Japan in 12th century and took the guise of an elegant court lady. She called herself Tamamo no Mae (Lady Tamamo), served and tried to control retired Emperor Toba (1103–1156).
玉藻前 Tamamo-no-Mae in the 12th Century in Japan Painted by Toyokuni
When the retired Emperor took ill Ommyoji (a kind of shaman) Yasuchika noticed it was her doing and revealed its true nature by magic. Then it flew away to Nasu.
Abe no Yasuchika revealing the true nature of the beauty Drawn by Ryugen
Ommyoji Yasuchika revealing true nature of the beauty, Nine Tailed Fox Tattooed by Ryugen
After the intense battles Kazusa no Suke Hirotsune finally cut the fox off with a single stroke. Then it turned into a stone.
上総介広常の九尾の狐退治 Kazusa no Suke Hirotsune slaying the Nine Tailed Fox Tattooed by Ryugen
The stone belched poisonous air and all birds and animals died that came near it. People called it Sesshoseki (killing stone) and kept away from it.
殺生石 sesshoseki (killing stone) in Nasu
Even now it belches poisonous air in Nasu (a district in Kanto area) and the area surrounding it is off limits.
On March 2022, it was found that the stone had split into two parts. Some netizens expressed their fear of the exorcised Kitsune. On 26 March 2022, the local government had priests host a ceremony to appease the spirit and pacify the beast at the site with prayers, offerings, and waving haraegushi upon the split rock.
Tattooist Ryugen
Roppongi Tokyo