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Kitsune lore: Explaining the legend behind the Supernatural creature

By Alexandria Ingham

EQIP SERMIA, GREENLAND - AUGUST 01: An arctic fox pup walks near the Eqip Sermia glacier, also called the Eqi Glacier, on August 01, 2019 at Eqip Sermia, Greenland. As the Earth's climate warms summers have become longer in nearby Ilulissat, allowing fishermen a wider period to fish from boats on open waters and extending the summer tourist season. Long term benefits are uncertain, however, as warming waters could have a negative impact on the local fish and whale population. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
EQIP SERMIA, GREENLAND - AUGUST 01: An arctic fox pup walks near the Eqip Sermia glacier, also called the Eqi Glacier, on August 01, 2019 at Eqip Sermia, Greenland. As the Earth's climate warms summers have become longer in nearby Ilulissat, allowing fishermen a wider period to fish from boats on open waters and extending the summer tourist season. Long term benefits are uncertain, however, as warming waters could have a negative impact on the local fish and whale population. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /
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In Supernatural Season 7, Episode 3, the kitsune was introduced. What’s the real legend behind the show’s lore. Here’s a look at the details.

Like in all Supernatural episodes, the lore of the creatures come from some sort of real legend or mythology. That’s certainly the case for the kitsune, introduced in Season 7, Episode 3.

It’s time to delve into the legend, looking at the show’s mythology and the real Japanese lore behind the creature. This is one of the first times the show touched on lore outside of Europe or American lore. Like in previous articles looking at mythology, I’ll compare the real and the show lore.

Kitsune in Supernatural

More from Supernatural

In the series, a kitsune is a little like a werewolf. However, instead of turning into a wolf and eating hearts, the kitsune is more fox-like and eats the pituitary gland. They’re far rarer than a werewolf. Sam was left alone while John and Dean hunted the creature, but it turned out that Sam was the one who found it.

The kitsune needs to eat the pituitary gland of humans but can survive on those from the dead. However, when sick, they need the glands of the living. The young are more likely to need pituitary glands from the living to remain healthy.

The real mythology surrounding the kitsune

The kitsune comes from Japanese mythology, and the word literally means fox. If you’re a fan of The Vampire Diaries novels, you’ll know that a kitsune family shows up in one of the books.

In Yōkai folklore, a fox can shapeshift into a human. Other Japanese folklore says that the kitsune will trick others, but they can also be portrayed as guardians or friends. However, most lore does paint them more as mischievous creatures, a little like tricksters.

The fox is a type of spirit that can have up to nine tails. Those with more tails are wiser and older. A new tail will grow every 100 years, according to Mythology.net.

In the lore, a creature must carry a glowing ball around. This is the kitsune’s soul, and without it they will die. There’s nothing in the lore about feeding off humans to remain alive. Apart from the idea being a fox that can shapeshift as a human, the Supernatural lore doesn’t really connect to the Japanese mythology.

Next. 15 guest stars in Supernatural before they were famous. dark

What did you know about the kitsune? What did you think of the creatures the first time you saw them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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