This expressive mask sold at a past QBO sale originally belonged to a Japanese immigrant who worked and lived much of his adult life in Oregon. The traditional hand-made mask can portray any one of several classic characters from Japanese religion and folklore. It is hand-painted in white, black, and red with a touch of brown for the eyes and is trimmed in real fur (either rabbit or fox). It is meant to be worn, with subtle eye-slits cut beneath its bright, personality-filled eyes. The mask was formed by patting wet paper mâché into a mold, letting it dry and then cutting the slits before painting. Other versions may be formed of molded, painted leather.
White foxes are traditionally thought to be Kitsune; supernatural beings that carry messages between the human and spirit realm. Benevolent white fox kitsune (Zenko) are particularly associated with Inari, the God of rice, sake (rice wine) and agriculture, among other things. If you are a vegetarian eating out at a Japanese restaurant you can order a simple sushi consisting of cooled, seasoned white rice wrapped in fried tofu skin – it’s called “Inari” after the god. Both Shinto and Buddhist religions honor Inari and statues of foxes are always present at shrines and temples dedicated to the god, standing guard at the entrance. Inari is notable in that he (or she) has at different times and in different regions of Japan, been portrayed as either male or female and it was sometimes left to the worshipper to define the God’s identity for themselves. And, because Inari’s messengers/honor guards/companions, the white foxes, are so closely associated with the god, Inari is sometimes actually believed to BE that white fox, in person. So is that just a wild animal loitering around that lonely forest shrine or could it be the god themselves? Behave yourself accordingly!
Inari and Inari’s kitsune are not the only supernatural white foxes in Japanese tradition. Other white foxes may be free-roaming kitsune, either good (Zenko), wild and destructive (Yako) or just invisible beings (Ninko) that possess people, accounting for mysterious mental illnesses. These ‘freelance’ foxes are mischievous and intelligent, just as regular foxes are in nature. But they are so much more than natural! Some learn to speak human language and take on human form just to attend our spring festivals and party down with us. The more ambitious and sinister may manifest as a beautiful woman (or handsome man), luring lonely, unwary humans off into the forest. However, that foxy seductress can be given away by the plush white tail slipping out from under the hem of her kimono, so pay attention if she seems too good to be true! And ladies, if you don’t see a tail, check that fine gentleman’s reflection in any puddle of water, which will show you his true form. No water around? Man’s best friend can still help you out as, just like natural foxes, the supernatural foxes do not care for dogs and will run away!
Kitsune have incredibly long life-spans – at age 100, instead of dying they just grow another tail, becoming that much smarter and more magical. Folklore recounts white foxes with 1, 5, 7 or 9 tails, with the 9-tailed fox being called “Kyuubi no kitsune” – the Thousand-year-old fox. The Thousand-year-old fox may even turn gold, and they can see and hear everything happening everywhere, all at once. Either good or evil, depending in part on our own behavior towards them, Thousand-year-old foxes can breathe out fire and by slashing around their 9 tails, spread swathes of flame behind them. Windstorms, earthquakes and wildfires were all attributed to vengeful Kyuubi no kitsune, so since all we can see of this particular kitsune is its mischievous face and not how many plush, furry tails it’s waving around, it’s probably best we be polite!
Tuesday Treasures was started by our staff member, Jeanne Lusignan. Each week she will be featuring items that have been found at our estate sales. If you would like to submit a treasure for Jeanne to feature in a future installment of “Tuesday’s Treasures”, please follow the button below and send us an email! Please attach a few photos of your treasure in a beautiful setting as well as any details you have about your item such as manufacturer, use, age, region of origin. If you don’t know about the piece, that’s okay! We still might be able to research it for you! Don’t forget to tell us what makes this item such a treasure to you!