 One belief is that when a kitsune changes shape , its hoshi no tama holds a portion of its magical power . Another tradition is that the pearl represents the kitsune 's soul ; the kitsune will die if separated from it for long . Those who obtain the ball may be able to extract a promise from the kitsune to help them in exchange for its return . For example , a 12th @-@ century tale describes a man using a fox 's hoshi no tama to secure a favor : 
 One belief is that when a kitsune changes shape , its hoshi no tama <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>holds</mark></a> a portion of its magical power . Another tradition is that the pearl <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>represents</mark></a> the kitsune <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>soul ; the kitsune will die if separated from it for long . Those <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>obtain the ball may be able to extract a promise from the kitsune to help them in exchange for its return . For example , a 12th @-@ century tale <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>describes</mark></a> a man using a fox <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>hoshi no tama to secure a favor : 
One belief is dat when a kitsune changes shape , its hoshi no tama hold a portion of its magical power . Another tradition is that da pearl represent the kitsune  soul ; the kitsune will die if separated from it for long . Those obtain the ball may be able to extract a promise from the kitsune to help them in exchange for its return . For example , a 12th @-@ century tale describe a man using a fox  hoshi no tama to secure a favor :