 Kitsune ( 狐 , キツネ , IPA : [ kitsu ͍ ne ] ) is the Japanese word for fox . Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore ; in English , kitsune refers to them in this context . Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom . According to Yōkai folklore , all foxes have the ability to shape shift into men or women . While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians , friends , lovers , and wives . 
 Kitsune ( 狐 , キツネ , IPA : [ <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>kitsu</mark></a> ͍ ne ] ) <a href='drop_aux' title='2'><mark>is</mark></a>the Japanese word for fox . Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore ; in English , kitsune <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>refers</mark></a> to them in this context . Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>that</mark></a>increase with their age and wisdom . According to Yōkai folklore , all foxes <a href='got' title='5'><mark>have</mark></a> the ability to shape shift into men or women . While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray them as faithful guardians , friends , lovers , and wives . 
Kitsune ( 狐 , キツネ , IPA : [ kitsued ͍ ne ] ) the Japanese word fir fox . Foxes r a common subject of Japanese folklore ; in English , kitsune refer to em in dis context . Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities increase witt their age and wisdom . According to Yōkai folklore , all foxes got the ability to shape shift into men or women . While some folktales speak of kitsune employing tdisability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — other stories portray thems faithful guardians , friends , lovers , and wives .